The Earth's Cauldron
Natural Exotic Gifts From Around The World
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The Earth's Cauldron specializes in bringing you the highest quality natural products from around the world.
The Earth's Cauldron ~ Based in Beautiful Sunny Florida
The Earth's Cauldron specializes in bringing you the highest quality natural products from around the world.
The Earth's Cauldron ~ Based in Beautiful Sunny Florida
email: The Earth's Cauldron ~
Phone: 352-799-4051
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Henna and History
This page of our site takes you on a brief journey through the history of henna. We have traveled down the silk road, down the
incense road, and now our journey has led us down the henna road and we would like to share our travels with you.
One of the first mentions of henna was found in Egypt in the tomb of the Pharaoh Teti, 2291 b.c.e. Egyptians speak of a
mysterious "land of Henu" on or around the biblical land of Goshen that was reported to have fields of henna. Henna is believed
to have originated in Ethiopia and traveled to Egypt via the Nile river. Traces of henna have been found on the hair and nails
of mummies dating back to 3500 b.c.e. The oldest written evidence of women using henna in connection with marriage and fertility
was found in Syria around 1700 b.c.e.
Henna's discovery as a skin staining substance was probably something as simple as holding a ball of fresh henna paste in the hand for a cooling effect.
People would have easily noted and starting experimenting with the leaves and the dye that they produced
as Egypt and other countries were well known for their use and experimentation with plants, perfumes and incense.
The flowers of the
henna plant were extremely prized in the ancient world.
Queen Cleopatra VII is said to have had the sails of her barge soaked with perfume made of henna flowers known as Cyprinum.
Henna did not travel well in the hot climates of the middle east, so it's probable that henna's main export was in
the form of an ointment, cream or perfume.
Solomon's Song of Songs, written in Jerusalem around 1020 b.c.e. mentions henna. King Solomon
was said to have had thriving gardens with some of the best henna of the era. In biblical times this area around the dead sea was
much different than it is today, rich with nutrients and a climate perfect for plant life.
The second century b.c.e. appears to be the first mention of henna in Hindu texts. Henna most likely came to India as a gift
from Egypt.
Mehndi is the word used to describe henna, the art of painting henna, and the final design. Mehndi does
not necessarily mean the use of henna, it simply means a form "body painting". The word Mehndi or Mendi, actually means myrtle
in Sanskrit. The art form of henna has almost exclusively been practiced by women. In North Africa, Morocco, Asia, Egypt, the
Middle East, India, Pakistan and Muslim Communities, you will find women who still practice this beautiful art form we know as Mehndi.
A special thanks to Mr. Osman Ali at Abid & Co. in Pakistan, for the photos of henna fields, plants & henna transportation. We were given exclusive rights to use the photos on our website. No other use is authorized.
Some of the information on this
page can be attributed to:
Marie Anakee Miczak, and her book "Henna's Secret History"
and
Loretta Roome's book: Mehndi ~
The Timeless Art of Henna Painting
The
Earth's Cauldron