Henna is an ancient and highly popular hair care ingredient in India. Besides coloring your hair, it helps to strengthen, nourish, and condition hair strands from deep within. Henna is a natural remedy that can relieve you from a wide range of hair woes naturally and effectively.
There are several reasons why women from nooks and corners of the country are incorporating this wonder beauty ingredient in their hair care regimen. Application of the powder made from its leaves brings remarkable medicinal and beauty benefits. This article tells you all about henna, its benefits and procedure to use it.
What is Henna?
Henna, is a flowing plant that is cultivated majorly in India. This evergreen plant has been used since decades for beautification purposes and as a ritual in Indian weddings. The use of this ancient herb dates back in 1200 BC. It was used primarily to dye the nails and hair. Application of henna as “mehendi” on hands is believed to be auspicious. It brings wealth, good luck, and love to the person.
As people started to learn about the benefits of henna for hair, it became a major component in the preparation of several hair care formulations. There are basically three different varieties of henna available in the market as – neutral henna, black henna and natural henna.
Types of Henna
- Natural henna is the pure form of henna that when applied gives a rich-brown color to your hair. This is the best henna to dye gray hair.
- Neutral henna doesn’t impart any colour to your hair. It is made from a plant named Senna Italica. It is ideal for people who wish to condition their hair and reap its other benefits without dyeing.
- Black henna is made from Indigo. As the name suggests, it imparts an instant black color to your hair. It may contain artificial chemicals and dyes that can lead to allergic reactions.
Medicinal Properties of Henna
Studies done on henna has shown that it possesses several vital properties that keeps your scalp in best state. It has remarkable antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory, wound healing, hepatoprotective, and protein glycation inhibiting action. In this way, heena is regarded as a potential treatment for your hair and scalp.
Is Henna Good For Your Hair?
People who are new to this beauty treatment, often have this question in their mind. Henna is an inexpensive, hassle-free and completely natural DIY treatment for hair growth. Its benefits go beyond dying the hair. Let us look at the numerous benefits that you can get with regular application of henna on your hair.
1. Makes Your Scalp Healthy
Henna has got potent natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that protects your scalp from fungal infections, dandruff, lice, etc. Its excellent cooling properties keeps your scalp cool. It soothes and prevents occurrence of boils on the scalp due to heat. You would notice that your scalp will become less itchy and healthier with every application.
2. Makes Hair Strong
One of the benefits of henna for hair is seen in the form of improvement of follicle health. The vital ingredients present in henna nourishes and strengthens hair and scalp. It also conditions and repairs any damage done to them. Regular application of henna cleans the scalp and prevents formation of acne on it.
3. Balances Oil Production
Overactive sebaceous glands on the scalp can cause greasy and itchy scalp. Henna calms down and normalizes the working of such glands, and balances oil secretion on the scalp.
4. Restores optimum pH Levels
The pH level of oil on the scalp and hair is between 4.5 and 5.0. Henna is a wonder ingredient that strengthens hair follicles by restoring the pH level to its natural acid-alkaline level. This action prevents growth of bacteria, and fungi on the scalp, closes the cuticles, and promotes scalp health.
5. Stimulates Hair Growth And Decreases Hair Fall
Regular application of henna for hair growth can promote exponential growth of hair growth. It does it by unclogging hair pores so that they get adequate amount of fresh oxygen, and nutrients easily.
Tannins present in henna binds it with hair to make them strong and prevents them from breakage. Henna boosts scalp health and promote healthy growth of hair naturally. For lustrous and voluminous tresses, you should definitely include henna in your hair care regimen.
6. Deeply Conditions Hair
One of the main reasons why women apply henna is its remarkable henna conditioning property. Heena hydrates, and moisturizes your hair and scalp. It also relieves from excess build-up of sebum on the scalp.
By preventing dryness on the scalp, henna prevents spilt ends, reduce hair damage and thinning of hair. You will notice that your hair will become bouncy, manageable and silky smooth. The effect of henna once applied remains for several days.
7. Prevents dandruff
Dandruff is a very common condition that most of the people suffer from. It is the result of an unclean scalp. If you are suffering from dandruff, then henna can be the best natural remedy to treat it. It works by removing excess oiliness on the scalp that makes it dirty and sweaty.
Henna regulates oil production on the scalp and prevents greasiness on the scalp. It efficiently cleans, and conditions your hair. In this way, it cures dandruff and prevents it from appearing again.
8. A natural hair dye
Hair coloring is the major use of henna. It is a natural and safe hair dye that provides the best color coverage to your hair. It is an herbal, chemical free, and affordable substitute to harmful synthetic dyes available on the market.
Henna Hair Packs
Henna hair dye for gray hair can be prepared with different types of ingredients available in our kitchen. It is in itself an excellent ingredient to grow hair. However, when you combine it with other potent ingredients, it enhances its efficiency.
In addition to coloring and covering your gray hair, these natural ingredients boost your scalp health and makes hair strong, conditioned and nourished. All the effective hair packs that we have listed provides you with all the benefits of henna.
1. Basic Henna Pack
Take half cup of henna powder and add one-fourth cup of warm water to it. Mix everything well till you get a smooth and thick paste. Keep it aside for twelve hours.
Procedure to Apply
Wash your hair using a mild shampoo. Don’t apply any hair conditioner as it may prevent henna from penetration. Now apply some amount of coconut oil on the skin of your neck, hairline, and ears to protect it from the color.
Wear hand gloves and apply henna to your hair such that it uniformly covers your head. Once done, wear a shower cap to keep heena warm and moist. Leave it on for two to three hours. Rinse off your hair thoroughly with shampoo. Conditioning is not required. Do this once a month.
2. Amla And Henna Pack
Amla is loaded with hair growth boosting nutrients that includes vitamin C, carotene, and iron, that naturally boosts hair growth and collagen levels, that, in turn, quickens hair growth. Mix half a cup of henna powder and two tablespoons of amla powder. Add one-fourth cup warm water. Use the above steps to apply this pack. For best results, apply it once a month.
3. Aloe Vera And Henna Pack
Aloe vera is a potent healer. It is a powerful cooling agent that soothes and conditions the skin. It also helps to promote hair growth and fights against dandruff and scalp aggravation. To make this pack, you will need freshly obtained pulp of one Aloe Vera leaf. Mix it with half a cup of henna powder. Add one-fourth cup of warm water and make a paste. Apply this pack once a month to get its benefits.
4. Coconut Milk And Henna Pack
Both henna and coconut milk offer excellent deep conditioning to hair. It stimulates hair growth and repairs hair, thereby making it shinier, manageable and moisturized. To prepare this pack, add one can of coconut milk in 2/3rd cup of henna powder. Add warm water to get a thick consistency. Apply it once a month.
5. Beetroot And Henna Pack
Another important natural ingredient that you can mix in henna to improve its efficiency is beetroot. It contains folate that prevents falling and greying of hair. It has potent anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties that makes your scalp clean. It also aids in nourishing hair glands, lowering oxidative stress and adding more color to your hair.
For this hair pack, you would need a cup of grated beetroot. Add a cup of henna powder in it. Add around two cups of water to get a thick and smooth paste. Apply it once a month to get the best results.
6. Henna, Lemon Juice and Egg Pack
Hair are made up of protein. Egg provides the adequate amount of protein and nourishes your hair. It contains peptides that enhances hair growth. Lemon is one of the finest antioxidants that boosts collagen, prevents fungal infections and promotes rapid hair growth.
Mix yolk of one egg and half cup of lemon juice in a cup of henna powder. Add one cup of water. Mix everything well. Apply this thick paste onto your hair. Follow the above application instructions to get desired results.
7. Castor Oil And Henna
Castor oil possess remarkable anti-inflammatory and antifungal action that prevents hair loss and protect your hair endings. It also stimulates hair growth and improves natural pigmentation of hair. To make this pack you would need one cup of henna powder and add five hundred ml of castor oil to it. Make a smooth and thick paste. Apply it once a month to get promising results.
8. Henna, Shikakai, Egg and Curd pack
Shikakai is a rich source of potent antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C, D, E and K. It cleans, nourishes, and grows hair. Curd is another beneficial ingredient that hydrates, and prevents dryness in scalp. It eliminates frizzy hair and imparts natural shine to them. High amount of protein in egg and curd nourishes hair follicles and makes your hair healthy and strong.
To make this hair pack, you would need to take two tablespoon of henna powder. Add one tablespoon of Shikakai powder. Add some water to it to make a thick paste. Let the mixture stay overnight. In the morning, add one tablespoon of curd and one egg yolk to the mix. Now starting by covering the roots, gradually apply it onto the length of hair. Do it once a week to get a gorgeous, and glossy mane.
9. Henna, and Multani Mitti pack
Multani Mitti is a widely known cooling agent that soothes inflammation on the scalp. It cleanses your hair and arrest hair fall. To make this hair pack, mix two tablespoon of henna powder and two tablespoons of Multani Mitti powder. Add water to the mixture so that you get a thick and lump-free paste. Apply this pack once a month.
10. Henna and Coffee Pack
Coffee is a potent ingredient that stimulates the roots of your hair, enhances its structure, and improves its growth. It is one of the best ways to curb hair loss and makes your hair more manageable.
To make this pack, take a container and prepare a mixture of one tablespoon of coffee powder and water. Boil it for around ten minutes. Now switch off the flame and add five tablespoons of henna powder in the warm coffee solution. Apply this pack once a month to get stunning brunette locks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Henna for Hair
1. How To Buy The Right Henna?
Make sure you buy only 100% organic henna powder. A few henna powder manufacturing firms add chemicals like PPD (paraphenylenediamine) that is an allergen that causes adverse reaction on coming in touch with your skin. In some henna products, chemicals are also added that makes your hair very dry, poor in texture and unmanageable.
2. What can cause if henna comes in contact with eyes?
If while applying henna, it mistakenly goes into your eyes, then you may notice redness, irritation, itchiness, and watery eyes. In such a scenario, you have to quickly rinse off your eyes with running water. If the problem doesn’t go away, then seek assistance of a doctor as early as possible.
3. What Is The Staying Power Of Henna?
Once applied, the color of henna usually stays for a month. However, it depends on your exposure to sunlight, and how many times you wash your hair with shampoo.
4. Is henna safe for skin?
Yes. Henna is a purely natural ingredient that is safe for skin. Organic and pure henna does not cause you any side effects. Impure henna can cause inflammation (dermatitis), itching, redness, swelling, burning sensation, scarring, scaling, and damaged skin. In some cases, chemical based henna can also cause allergies that can contribute to wheezing, runny nose, and even asthma.
5. Can I take henna by mouth?
No. Henna is only meant for external application. Its oral consumption is unsafe.
6. Can I apply henna on children’s head?
For safety reasons, henna is advisable for only adults. its application on infants and small children is not recommended.
7. Can I use Henna powder on chemically treated hair?
Yes. Henna can be used on chemical treated hair. In order to get best results from henna, you need to wait for a period of five to six weeks after the completion of chemical treatment before you apply henna on your hair.
Conclusion
Henna is a pure, natural and safe beauty ingredient that causes no side effects. It makes your hair silky, shiny and strong. The wonderful hair colour coverage that you get with each use makes it anytime better than any chemical-enriched costly hair treatment product. Regular application of henna using any of the above hair packs aids in rapid growth of healthy and colored hair.
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