LAWSONIA, EGYPTIAN PRIVET; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the oclandria class of plants. There are two species, the inermis and spinosa, both natives of India. Some authors take the first to be the plant termed by the Arabians henna, or alhenna; the pulverized leaves of which are much used by the eastern nations for dyeing their nails yellow: but others, Dr Hasselquist in particular, attribute that effect to the leaves of the other species of Egyptian privet which bears prickly branches. It is probable, that neither set of writers are mistaken, and that the shrub in question is a variety only of the thorny lawsonia, rendered mild by culture.
Alhenna grows naturally and is cultivated throughout India, as also in Egypt, Palestine, and Persia. In those countries, says Hasselquist, it flowers from May to August. The leaves being pulverized, are made with water into a paste, which the inhabitants of those countries bind on the nails of their hands and feet, keeping it on all night. The deep yellow colour that
is thus obtained is considerably permanent, not requiring to be renewed for several weeks. It would seem, that this custom is very ancient in Egypt; the nails of some mummies being found dyed in this manner. The dried flowers of henna afford a fragrant smell, which, it is affirmed, women with child cannot bear.