Henna Tattoo History

Henna Tattoo art has been around for many centuries. It was used for religous ceremonies in ancient Egypt and India, now it's commonly used as body art throught the world.
What is Henna? 
Henna is a plant that grows in Africa, northern Australia, and southern Asia. When mashed into a paste it can be used to dye hair and design body art. It contains lawsone which combined with proteins it causes a red stain.
Origin of Mehndi 
Henna is believed to have originated in Egypt as a dying agent used on mummies to stain their hair and nails. Botanists believe the henna plant (Lawsonia inermis) originated in Egypt and then carried to India. Henna can be traced back to 700 AD when it started being used as a temporary form of skin decoration for hands and feet in India.
Many other Mehandi traditions developed over time. For example, women's hands were decorated with henna at childbirth because women with intricate Mehandi designs did little household labor so as not to destroy their body art. Tattooing women's hands at weddings and childbirth allowed them a few weeks where they could bond with the new husband or new baby and not be bothered with daily household chores. The tattoos were also thought to bestow blessings and good luck.
Health Risks of Henna Body Art 
The FDA has only approved henna for use on the hair. Henna has not been approved for use on the skin. Although henna is a natural based plant paste you have to make sure you are not allergic to it before using it. Test a small part of your hand to make sure you don't break out.