Henna (حناء, hinna') is the powdered leaf of Lawsonia inermis, a shrub grown across North Africa, Arabia and South Asia. Mixed into a paste, it stains hair, skin and nails a red-orange to brown colour. It is sold as plain leaf powder, as pre-mixed cones, and in "henna" hair dyes that may contain very little henna at all.
This guide covers the physical product: its place in the Sunnah, its chemistry, what research does and does not show, how to buy it, and the warnings that matter. It does not recommend a brand.
Medical disclaimer. This article is educational, not medical advice, and is not independently medically reviewed. Henna is a cosmetic dye, not a medicine. Never use "black henna", never apply henna to a baby or a child whose G6PD status is unknown, and do not put henna on open or infected wounds instead of seeking treatment.
Henna in the Sunnah and Islamic History
Henna is not named in the Quran, but it appears in several hadith.
Dyeing grey hair
Jami' al-Tirmidhi 1753 records: "The best of what you change grey hair with is henna and katam." Katam is another plant dye, traditionally mixed with henna to give a darker brown. In Sahih al-Bukhari 5899 the Prophet ﷺ encouraged dyeing grey hair, noting that some earlier communities did not.
Headache, legs and wounds
Salma, a servant of the Prophet ﷺ, reported that when someone complained of headache he advised cupping, and when someone complained of pain in the legs he said, "Dye them with henna" (Sunan Abi Dawud 3858). She also reported that he would place henna on any cut or thorn wound (Jami' al-Tirmidhi 2054). Hadith scholars graded these chains differently; Imam al-Tirmidhi called the second gharib (narrated by a single route). They describe the practice of that time and give no dose or disease-specific promise.
What the schools say
All four schools regard henna on the hair and beard as permissible and generally commendable for men and women, while differing on how dark the dye may be. For women, henna on the hands and feet is widely regarded as recommended. For men, the Hanafi, Shafi'i and many Maliki and Hanbali authorities disliked or prohibited henna on the hands and feet when it imitates women's adornment, while permitting it for medical need. Ask a trusted local scholar if this applies to you.
What Modern Research Shows
The dye: lawsone
Henna's colour comes from lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone). It is released when crushed leaves meet a mildly acidic liquid and bonds to the keratin protein in hair, skin and nails. That is why the stain grows out rather than washing off. Lawsone does not lighten hair, so henna cannot dye dark hair a lighter shade.
Hair
Henna coats and colours the hair shaft and many people find it makes hair feel thicker and glossier. There is no good clinical evidence that henna regrows hair, stops hair loss or cures dandruff. Claims like these are marketing.
Skin and wounds
Laboratory studies show lawsone and leaf extracts have antibacterial and antifungal activity, and henna has a long traditional use for cooling cracked heels and minor wounds. But lab results are not human trials, and modern wound care (cleaning, dressing, and medical treatment for infection) has much stronger evidence. Do not use henna instead of it.
How to Buy Pure Henna
- One ingredient. The label should say Lawsonia inermis (henna) leaf powder and nothing else, or name every added plant (such as katam, amla or indigo).
- No PPD. Reject anything listing p-phenylenediamine, PPD, "para-dye" or unnamed "colour". Black henna is not henna.
- Natural colour. Pure henna only gives orange, red or brown. A product promising jet black, blue or blonde contains something else.
- Fresh green powder. Good henna smells grassy, like hay or spinach, and is green to khaki. Brown, dusty or odourless powder is often old and stains weakly.
- Fine sift. "Body art quality" henna is sifted very finely. It costs more and is usually fresher.
- Harvest date and origin. A recent harvest and a named region (for example Rajasthan, Yemen or Sudan) suggest a more accountable seller.
- Heavy-metal testing. Ask whether batches are tested for lead and other metals; serious sellers can show a report.
- No cure claims. Avoid sellers claiming henna treats hair loss, fungus or illness.
Strict Medical Warnings
- "Black henna" is dangerous. Dark "henna" tattoos often contain PPD, which can cause blistering, scarring and permanent allergy to hair dyes. The US FDA warns against it (FDA: temporary tattoos, henna and black henna).
- G6PD deficiency. In people with this common inherited condition, especially babies and young children, henna on the skin can break down red blood cells. Reported cases include severe jaundice, transfusions and deaths (WHO EMRO case report, 2017; Dike et al., 2025). Do not apply henna to a baby, and avoid it in any child until their G6PD status is known.
- Warning signs. Seek urgent care if yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, paleness, unusual sleepiness or fast breathing appear after henna use.
- Allergy. Pure henna allergy is uncommon but possible. Patch-test on a small area 48 hours before wider use.
- Chemical hair dye. Henna mixed with metallic salts can react with chemical dyes or perms. Wait until it grows out, or test a strand first.
- Wounds and eyes. Keep henna away from the eyes, and do not put it on deep, infected or diabetic foot wounds.
- Pregnancy. Plain henna on hair or hands is widely used, but check that the product has no additives and talk to your midwife if you have G6PD deficiency or a history of skin reactions.
How People Use It
- Hair: mix powder with water or lemon water into a yoghurt-like paste, rest it for a few hours, apply to clean hair, and rinse after 1–4 hours.
- Hands and feet: a thicker paste is applied in patterns, left for several hours, then scraped off; the stain darkens over 24–48 hours.
- Grey beard: henna alone gives orange; many mix it with katam or indigo for a brown shade, in line with the hadith.