Henna

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/henna

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Lawsonia inermis
2. What is the primary dye compound?Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone)
3. How does henna color skin?When the henna leaves are mixed with an acidic liquid like lemon juice, the dye is released. The dye sticks to the skin’s outer layer and turns orange at first, then darkens to reddish‑brown in a day or two.
4. Where does henna grow?Henna grows in hot, dry places in Africa, South Asia, and Australia. It likes tropical and subtropical climates.

Lawsone: The active naphthoquinone pigment in henna leaves responsible for its staining properties.
Keratin: A fibrous structural protein that forms the main component of skin, hair, and nails, to which lawsone binds.
Mehndi: The term for henna art, especially in South Asia, often applied during significant life events and celebrations.
Stratum Corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis of the skin, where lawsone penetrates to create the stain.