How to Make Henna Leaves Give a Reddish Color

Lawsonia inermis L. -- henna -- has been around for centuries and, in fact, the leaves are staples in countries like India as natural nail and hair coloring and skin tattoo devices. The leaves contain a natural dye molecule called lawsone that releases a red color when you crush them. You can obtain henna at hair supply stores in a prepared powder form to add red highlights to your hair. Grow your own plant and crush your own leaves to make henna leaves give a reddish color.

Plastic gloves
Mortar and pestle
2 tbsp. Lemon juice
Wooden spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Put on plastic gloves to protect your hands. Place a handful of henna leaves in the mortar. A mortar is a deep bowl that is stone, metal or porcelain. You can grow your own henna plant or obtain one at specialty shops or online.
- 2
  Use the pestle to grind the leaves inside the mortar. The pestle looks like a miniature baseball bat, with one end wider than the other end. Hold the narrow end to control the grinding to mash up the leaves.
- 3
  Add the lemon juice to the ground leaves and stir with a wooden spoon until it forms a pastelike consistency. The juice's acid helps break down the leaves and releases the natural red dye inside the henna leaves.
- 4
  Set the henna mixture aside overnight to allow the dye to naturally release from the leaves. The ground leaves mixture will be green; the color will dry red as you use the paste in tattoo creations or hair dyes.

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