About Henna
Henna is the Persian name, now used in many languages, for a small flowering shrub (Lawsonia inermis) originally found in Australia and Asia and along the Mediterranean coasts of Africa. Also known as the mignonette tree or the Egyptian privet, it is grown as an ornamental in subtropical regions of the United States and has been naturalized in many countries throughout the world.
Mehndi is the word in Hindi used to describe henna, henna painting, and the resulting designs. Because there are so many dialects in India, there are also many words other than mehndi used to denote henna: menhadi, mehendi, mehedi, mendi, and in Sanskrit mendika, to name just a few. Mehndi is practiced in many parts of the world. From the deserts of North Africa to the villages of northern India, magnificent designs blossom and vanish upon the hands and feet of women as they have for thousands of years. Most commonly associated with romantic love and the ritual of marriage, mehndi is an integral part of bridal adornment in Hindu, Moslem, and Sephardic traditions.
Most people in the West know of henna because it is often used here to color hair. But in India and North Africa henna is of ancient repute for its medicinal properties and has long served many other functions. Used as an antiseptic and astringent, it is often applied to bruises and sprains, as well as boils, burns, and open wounds. It is used to treat ringworm and headaches, sweaty hands, burning feet, and athletes foot. Because of the cooling effect it has on the skin, a ball of henna paste is placed in the hand of a fevered child in order to bring the temperature down. An extract derived from putting henna leaves in boiling water is used as a gargle to heal a sore throat, and taken internally to act as a tonic and to relieve stomach pains. The bark of the henna plant is used to treat jaundice, enlargement of the spleen, and various skin diseases. Aside from its cosmetic or medicinal functions, henna has long been used to dye leather and cloth, as well as the hooves and manes of horses. Ceremonial markings with henna on walls, animals, and idols are also common.
*Adapted from Mehndi: The Timeless Art of Henna Painting by Loretta Roome
About the Artist
As the primary artist at Henna Carolina, Melinda Cole is a self-taught, Charlotte-based artist who specializes in all natural henna art. She was first introduced to henna in the spring of 2007 and what started out as a mild curiosity quickly turned into an unstoppable obsession. Melinda is thrilled to be working with people in such a positive and artistic manner and believes that henna brings out the beauty and magic in us all.
About the Company
Established in 2007, Henna Carolina is the venue in which Melinda shares the beauty, culture, and history of henna. Because mehndi is a very intimate art, in which the artist's canvas is another human being, Henna Carolina is committed to using the freshest, all-natural henna available and will only henna in a safe, clean environment. Melinda respects any concerns people may have about the safety of henna and encourages her clients to be knowledgeable about anything and everything they put on their skin.