Kohl (cosmetics)
Kohl (kol), which means to "brighten the eyes" in Arabic, is a mixture of soot and other ingredients, used by Egyptian and other Asian women and, to a lesser extent, men to darken the eyelids. Kohl has been worn traditionally as far back as the Bronze Age. Kohl was originally used as protection against eye ailments. Darkening around the eyelids also provided relief from the glare of the sun.
The content of kohl and the recipes used to make it vary greatly. Some kohl preparations contain a large proportion galena (lead sulfide) or stibnite (an antimony ore), and the soot from various nuts, seeds and gum resins. Lead and antimony are toxic and would kill bacteria transmitted by flies and contaminated water. However, the toxins can enter the bloodstream of the wearer and cause chronic health problems.
Mothers would also apply kohl to their infants eyes soon after birth. Some did this to "strengthen the child’s eyes," and others believed it could prevent the child from being cursed by an "Evil Eye".
References
"Introduction to Harquus: Part 2: Kohl". The Henna Page. Retrieved Apr. 22, 2005.