Henna
Henna suppliers and sourcing guide
Henna is the dried, powdered leaf and petiole of Lawsonia inermis (also called Lawsonia alba), a shrub grown in North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. The leaves are dried, sieved and milled to a fine green powder, which is mixed with water to release its orange-red coloring compound, lawsone. Brands buy it as a powder for hair color products; FDA allows it only for coloring hair.
- Category
- Colors
- Also known as
- Lawsonia inermis · Lawsonia alba · CI 75480 · Henna leaf powder
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of henna
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Body-art quality (BAQ) powder
Finely sifted leaf powder with high dye content; the name is a trade term, and in the US henna is permitted only for hair.
Hair dye grade powder
Standard milled leaf powder for hair color products.
Organic
Henna from certified organic farms, offered by a number of suppliers.
Blends
Henna blended with indigo or cassia for different hair shades; check every component is permitted.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- Microscopy against leaf and petiole histology plus a check for other plant species, as the regulation requires.
- Lawsone content
- Lawsone by HPLC or UV-Vis, which sets color strength and is the main basis for comparing lots.
- Moisture and ash
- Moisture (not more than 10 percent), total ash and acid-insoluble ash, each limited in 21 CFR 73.2190.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and arsenic by ICP-MS against the regulation and supplier spec.
- Adulterants
- Screening for added dyes such as p-phenylenediamine (PPD) by HPLC, a known problem in imported "black henna."
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, and pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; lawsone content falls with heat, light, air and humidity, and many suppliers recommend refrigerated or frozen storage for long holds. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with lawsone retested on aged stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Lawsone content varies with crop year, origin and drying, so record lawsone for each lot and test dye release before production. Rotate stock first-in, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 73.2190 identifies henna as the dried leaf and petiole of Lawsonia alba Lam. (Lawsonia inermis L.).
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.2190 permits henna for coloring hair only, not for eyelashes, eyebrows or the area of the eye.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.2190 requires the label to state "Do not use in the area of the eye" and "Do not use on cut or abraded scalp" or equivalent.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.2190 limits moisture to 10 percent and lead to 20 ppm.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Henna suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking henna suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell henna? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of henna can brands buy?
Common forms include body-art quality (BAQ) powder, hair dye grade powder, organic and blends. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for henna include?
Expect identity, lawsone content, moisture and ash, heavy metals, adulterants and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should henna be stored?
Store sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; lawsone content falls with heat, light, air and humidity, and many suppliers recommend refrigerated or frozen storage for long holds. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, with lawsone retested on aged stock.
What is the regulatory status of henna?
21 CFR 73.2190 identifies henna as the dried leaf and petiole of Lawsonia alba Lam. (Lawsonia inermis L.). 21 CFR 73.2190 permits henna for coloring hair only, not for eyelashes, eyebrows or the area of the eye. 21 CFR 73.2190 requires the label to state "Do not use in the area of the eye" and "Do not use on cut or abraded scalp" or equivalent. 21 CFR 73.2190 limits moisture to 10 percent and lead to 20 ppm.
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