Henna's Secret History: The History Mystery and Folklore of Henna

Rating:
Summary: A Rare Find of Truth among so many Assumptions
Review: By far this is my most prized possession in the field of Henna History and Research, and I've only just gotten it! Written by an herbalist as well as a free thinker rather than head nodder, her book turned everything I thought I knew about the plant commonly called 'Henna' upside-down. Taking nothing for 'granted' she takes an entirely refreshing approach to researching the use of this herb, not just as a skin dye, but the entire plant as well as the linguistic archeology that so very precisely traces the plant's roots. With a never ending search for the 'why' she has summarily presented the evidence rather than drawing the conclusions for you! Definitely not for the Hard of Thinking, this book is by far the best piece of research on the subject I have seen to date!!!! A real TREASURE!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Henna's Secret History from a Pharmacological Standpoint
Review: I was very impressed with this work in that the references were well researched and verified. As a college professor, these are the sorts of course texts that we employ in our studies of pharmacognosy or the study of medicines made from plants & natural sources.

"Henna's Secret History" is just the type of manual I would choose to explain the chemical compounds and medicinal properties of Henna to both the neophyte as well as the advanced student. Excellent work, well founded in clinical study and complete in every way. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Atrocious!
Review: In addition to being atrociously edited, this book does not cite significant sources, and is RIDDLED with misinformation.

To cite an example: Ms. Miczak refers to the Berber people of North Africa as being Christian in origin. THIS HAS NEVER BEEN TRUE. As an art historian specializing in the body arts of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and elsewhere in North Africa, I am very disappointed with this text.

Additionally, I highly recommend that the author look into spell check, as well as educating herself in the fine art of punctuation.

Scholars and readers everywhere, beware: quote from this book and lose all credibility.