Henna is a natural alternative to chemical dyes for coloring the hair.
It is obtained from the leaf of a small tree native to Asia, Africa, New
Zealand and Australia. Color enhancement is owing to a chemical in the
leaf called hennatannic acid, a protein that coats hair shafts to
deposit a semi-permanent color that eventually fades with washing.
To effect different shades, it is necessary to blend henna with other
botanicals or otherwise the result would be—depending on starting hair
color—orange to red or burgundy. Chestnut henna is formulated to
consist of 75% Lawsonia inermis and small amounts of (in order of
concentration) indigo, Centaurea, rhubarb, lichen and litmus.
