Sprouted up from desert sand and warm temperatures, a small tree with green leaves has been an ancient treasured tradition across many cultures.

A multipurpose ingredient serving as a beauty ornament, hair dye, and medical treatment, henna has maintained its presence, even in today’s changing world.

Around 100 km away from Dubai, Moza Ahmed Al Abduli harvests the leaves off a henna tree at her daughter’s home in Ras Al Khaimah.

“This is the henna tree, it grows in the UAE and Oman, it comes from these henna seeds, which we can smell during the morning when there is humidity or fog, it smells the same as the henna [paste]. We then take these leaves one by one and keep them in the shade, so the colour doesn’t change,” explained the 62-year-old craftswoman.

Taking the leaves back to her home, Abduli is one of the few who still make homemade traditional henna paste.

Grinding, sifting, and mixing with lemon water, Abduli prepares the henna paste recipe, which is traditionally used on special occasions such as weddings and Eid.

“The origin [of henna] comes from here, but what they added to [henna nowadays] is petrol to turn it black, as well as using other ways for it to come out black,” added Abduli.

Incorporating her henna designs with fashion and reintroducing it to the younger generation, artist Azra Khamissa is giving the ancient art a modern look.

Inspired by linear and minimalist designs, the artist who started off as a chiropractor uses hands and even sneakers as her canvases.

“The traditional designs, although they are great for weddings and for Eid, kind of after that for many girls it wasn’t really sitting well, so the modern designs are something that they are happy to wear beyond these occasions,” said the designer who collaborated with Adidas and Ebel Watches to include henna designs on their products.

Using her very own natural henna labelled “Azra”, the young artist’s designs help women communicate their different styles and traditions, but with a modern twist.