Henna in ancient Egypt
Henna’s historical trail begins in ancient Egypt. Modern Egypt remains one of the main commercial suppliers of the plant, as do the parts of Sudan corresponding with ancient Nubia. Egypt’s associations with henna are confirmed by its botanical nickname Egyptian privet. The term “henna” derives from the Arabic, al khanna. There is a hieroglyph, pouquer, which is believed to indicate the henna plant. The term mehndi, used synonymously for henna, derives from the Sanskrit mehandika. Much of the modern revival…