"My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi" --Solomon's Songs of Songs 1:14
With Mehndi the art of henna body adornment becoming so popular and my just releasing a book on the subject, "Mehndi: Rediscovering Henna Body Art" (BBOTW) ISBN 0-7414-0280-7 (shameless plug), I thought I would bring to light some of the amazing information pertaining to the essential oil extracted from the fragrant flowers of the henna plant, sometimes referred to as heena oil or Mehndi oil. What many don't understand is Mehndi is not synonymous with henna and in reality is a niche in a long historical belt of henna the botanical. Henna has many uses and the essential oil has a rich history as well.
Heena or henna essential oil, Lawsonia inermis, is known by a number of names including Camphire (not to be confused with Camphor which comes from an Evergreen Tree) and Cyprinum. Camphire is a (KJV) bible name given to the whole henna plant and also the richly scented perfume created from the flowers. It was used throughout Israeli areas and was a treasured scent of the Jewish peoples. It was also used to treat serious skin conditions including leprosy and boils. Cyprinum on the other hand was the Egyptians version of the henna essential oil and was a favorite perfume of Cleopatra who used it not only on her herself but also to scent the fleet of Nile barge sails she constantly used. Henna had always been an important part of Egyptian life, as they were the first ones believed to use and cultivate the botanical, and even went to far as to declare people who did not stain their nails red with henna, in addition to other body areas, uncouth and low. Henna, especially the essential oil extracted was of course expensive and this served to embarrass those of lessor means, something that always goes on in advanced societies one way or another. The Egyptians would also wear pillars of fat on top of their heads which had been heavily perfumed to drip down their hair and scent their whole body with the Cyprinum, especially in the case of dancers who would perform in the courts. Later on, as trade routs developed better, the use of henna essential oil continued to other countries including the entire Middle East and even so far as Tibet for temple use. The Persians, whom gave Henna it's name also heavily used all portions including the essential oil.
The wonderful part about all of this, is while it is hard, you can still locate real henna
Go To Page: 1 2
