Use of Henna, as Indians claim, originally started from India subcontinent and gradually spread in the world. Henna is now widely used in various  parts of the world as for Tattoo kits, Hair color and for various medicinal purposes. It is fast gaining popularity as a medium for artificial tattoos. Historic records prove use of Henna in Palestine and by Romans during the historical period of the birth of Christ. Henna has been considered to celebrate women's sexuality and fertility.

International Trade in Henna: Henna is traded internationally for various purposes as for use in medicines, to decorate hands, as a skin cleanser and for its cooling properties, essential oils, hair tonic, natural colorant and conditioner.  It is exported to a number of countries either in the powdered form or as a finished products. Henna extracts are being used by leading companies for their anti bacterial, anti fungal properties to make skin products, hair products or for products meant to increase youthfulness. They are also used by herbal and ayurvedic practitioners for its beneficial and therapeutic properties. Henna is also used for treatment of burns, treatment of ulcers, stomach, burns, and hot swellings. Henna is also considered helpful for treatment of small pox in early stages.

Henna has always been considered auspicious so, it has for centuries been used during betrothal, marriage and child birth. Henna application artists specializing in face painting or tattoo jobs that were originally coming from west Asia, now are available in most parts of Europe and North America. In henna application, a new art is fast gaining popularity that is Airbrushing, which creates colorful and vibrant body art that lasts 5 days in realistic looking tattoos. This trend initially confined to birthday and stag parties  is now picking up in corporate parties as well.  Another henna art that is picking up is Art of Hair-wrapping which involves creating unique pieces of art in the hair and Face Painting which are both very interactive and make unique forms of body ornamentation.

Use of Henna, which is known by different names in various countries as Al-Khanna, Al-henna, Egyptian Privet, Henne, Jamaica Mignonette, Mehndi Mendee, Smooth Lawsonia, Hinna, Mehndi, Nakrize, Panwar etc, can be traced back to 2100 BC by the early Babylonian, Sumerian civilizations.

Side effects of poor quality of Henna: While importing Henna, you should be very careful about the quality of henna. Saving some money of poor quality make actually cost you more. Poor quality henna tattoos can cause skin allergies, rashes and reactions. Henna hair dye made of poor quality henna can lead to negative reaction. Good  Quality henna will rarely cause any kind of allergy or skin reaction.

Most of henna in international trade is sourced from Asian countries or eastern parts of Europe.