Scientific Name: Buxus dioica Forssk.

Arabic name(s): الكَتَم

English name(s): Buxus/ Katam hair dye

Growth form: Katam is an evergreen shrub or small tree.

Order: Buxales

Family: Buxaceae

Genus: Buxus L.

Species: Buxus dioica Forssk.

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

Citation in the Hadit:

Narrated by AbuDharr: The Prophet (Peace and Blessing be Upon Him) said: “The best things with which grey hair are changed are henna and katam.” Sunan Abu-Dawud, combing the hair book.

Habitat & Distribution:

Katam is a plant that originally grows in valleys of Yemen. Also it distributes in the tropical areas of Asia and Africa.