Beauty with Heena/Mehndi
Henna has been used in hair dyes, cosmetic products, hair products and for making temporary tattoos.
It is used to preserve cloth and leather. Since ancient times henna has been used to dye wool, silk as well as leather.
Henna also repels some insects and mildew. Place henna flowers between folds of woolen cloth to keep moths away.
Henna flowers are used to make perfume.
It is a wonderful conditioner for hair, makes it thick, shiny and
more manageable. It restores the natural acid-alkaline balance of the
scalp. Being a natural cleanser it does not alter the chemical structure
of the hair.
Benefits Of Henna in Health
Henna
has laxative, expectorant, diuretic, tonic, anthelmintic, anti toxic,
anti bacterial, antiviral and anti fungal properties.
It promotes hair growth, relieves bronchitis, asthma, Traditionally
henna has been used to treat burns blisters and other skin conditions,
headache and migraine, jaundice, amoebic dysentery, stomach and
intestinal ulcers, enlarged spleen and even cancer. Henna acts as a good
sunscreen,
It is also applied to treat dandruff, fungal infections, eczema and wounds etc.
Some Natural homemade tips With Henna or Mehndi
Soak 50 grams henna powder in 500 ml water. Strain and swish this water around in the mouth for relief.
Alternately, some leaves of henna can also be chewed.
Boil some henna powder in water and wash the boils with this water.
- Burning of the soles of the feet
Apply henna on the soles.
Boil henna leaves in water. Strain and swish this water around in the mouth.
- Cracks, Cuts, Wounds, Injuries
Apply henna paste on the affected area.
Take 50 grams henna powder, 1/2 tsp coffee powder and 25 grams
amla powder. Mix these in milk and apply on the head. This will give a
golden color to the hair.
Apply henna paste on area of the back, neck etc affected by prickly heat. It relieves burning and itching immediately.
- Cooling The Body/ Relieving Body Heat
Apply henna paste on the palms and soles. It benefits those with
high blood pressure. Henna relieves body heat, induces a feeling of
coolness, keeps the mind and head cool and calm.
Sportsmen can benefit by an application of henna paste on the
soles of the feet to get relief from fatigue and keep the body cool as
well.
Mix henna in mustard oil and apply.
Henna treats warts, herpes, relieves pains. acts like a sedative,
The juice of the leaves is good for treating hydrophobia.
Extract of the herb is good to treat epilepsy and neuropathy.
Henna oil can be used to treat leprosy, headaches, skin disorders, arthritic and rheumatic pains.
Mix henna flowers with warm wax and rose oil to relieve pain.
Apply henna paste to fingernails to make them strong.
About Black Henna or Kali Mehndi
The
black henna that is available in the market is not natural henna. It is
obtained from the indigo plant and also contains the chemical para
phenylenediamine or PPD. Sometimes these are added to henna to produce
black henna.
Black henna is extremely dangerous to health since it is a
transdermal toxin and a potential carcinogen apart from the fact that it
causes allergy in many of those who use black henna.
Getting a black henna tattoo makes the hair sensitive to hair dyes
and other chemicals and if a person has had a black henna tattoo and
follows it up later with a chemical hair dye, it could even cause a life
threatening allergic reaction.
Precautions While using Henna/Mehndi
- Henna
is safe normally when used externally on hair and skin. Allergic
reactions like inflammation of skin and respiratory problems are rare if
pure henna is used.
- It is considered unsafe for oral consumption.
- Henna reacts with Lithium and slows down its excretion. If you are talikg lithium supplementation please note.
- Do not use henna in children under 12 years and those with glucose
6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as it can cause bursting of the red
blood cells even when applied on the skin.
- Pregnant women should not take it orally as it might lead to miscarriage. Nursing mothers should also avoid it.