Henna is one of the jewels of nature that we Indians have been using for our hair care and beauty since ancient times. First introduced by the Arab world, henna has now become a tradition in our Indian households. Henna comes with immense benefits for hair health. It makes hair long, strong and volumised; it treats dandruff too. Henna hand arts are considered to be auspicious; so, we decorate a bride’s hands and feet with intricate henna designs to lock in the luck it provides. The leaves of this wonder plant do not provide tint on its own; you have to nurture it to get the tint of your desire. Henna leaves need to be dried, ground and finally mixed with dye releasing ingredients like coffee.
Benefits of Using Henna
Voluminous Lustrous Hair
If you have excessively oily and limp hair, henna is the best volumising treatment you will ever find. Unlike those harsh chemical shampoos, henna soaks up excess oil without damaging the hair. Regular use of henna makes your hair shinier and smoother to touch. It coats the hair strands and prevents sun damages too.
Relief from Dandruff and Itchy Scalp
Henna contains plenty of natural antimicrobials. It cleanses off the fungal growths on the scalp and provides instant relief from itchy scalp. Our scalp is a home for dandruff-causing fungi like Malassezia. They get activated when our scalp pH level changes. Henna helps balance the pH of the scalp and keeps it dandruff free.
Grey Coverage
Chemical-laden hair colours damage your scalp and hair with countless toxins, ammonia and peroxide bleaches. These substances weaken the protective layer of the hair strand, and your hair becomes fragile over multiple uses. You can easily save your hair from chemical damages by opting for henna treatments. The reddish pigment of henna not only covers up those greys but also provides a subtle highlighting effect.
Boost Hair Growth
Studies have shown that henna boosts hair growth while reducing hair loss and split ends. It unclogs the pores of the scalp skin and helps build the overall health of hair. Regular use of henna makes hair healthy and problem-free.
Uses of Henna
Apart from preparing hair conditioning masks and tinting hair, henna has plenty of other uses.
Mehndi & Temporary Body Art Tattoos
Dried leaves of henna have been used to create bridal skin tinting arts like mehndi in Asia and middle eastern countries since the ancient days. For the past few decades, its use in temporary body tattoos has increased astonishingly.
Making Ayurvedic medicines
Henna is a powerhouse of naturally produced antibacterials and anti-inflammatory compounds. The fresh leaves of henna are used in Indian ancient Ayurveda as a quick remedy for minor cuts and wounds.
Must-try Homemade Henna Recipes
Henna-Aloe-Green Tea Hair Mask for Problem-free Hair
This is a conditioning mask that won’t give much colour. It will make your hair shiny and strong. This is also an excellent pack for recurring dandruff and itchy scalp. Brew light green tea; its colour should be amber. Take henna powder in a bowl. As we aren’t making tinting henna, an iron bowl is not needed. Now mix the green tea brew with henna to prepare a thick pack. Add 2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel to lighten the texture. You might add more green tea to reduce the density even further. Keep it aside for 2 hours and then apply on hair and scalp. Keep it in the hair for 2-3 hours and then wash off with a mild shampoo. Do this once a month for best results.
Henna-Honey-Coffee Hair Mask for Grey Coverage
Henna and coffee mixture imparts deep brownish colour that tints greys in a natural brown tone. Honey adds a boost of moisture to the hair and makes the hair look shiny. To prepare this hair colour pack, prepare a deep brown coffee brew by boiling the coffee powder in plain water. Take adequate amount of henna powder in an iron bowl as per your hair length and add the cooled coffee brew slowly. Mix and add more of the brew as you go. This way, no lumps will be formed. Cover this up with an airtight plastic wrap and let the henna release its dye overnight. In the morning mix 2 tablespoons of honey to it and apply on the hair and scalp. Keep for at least 3-4 hours for a deep tint. This might not dye your hair deeply at first go so repeat after two weeks. Wash off with water and apply conditioner. You should shampoo your hair a day later as henna needs a few hours to oxidise and deepen.
Make your pick from the below Henna range:
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