Henna: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

Henna has been used for thousands of years to dye the skin and hair. For women, red-colored henna is especially often used to decorate the body. Hair, toes, fingers, soles of hands and feet were already decorated with henna in ancient Egypt, as grave finds show.

Occurrence and cultivation of henna

The small white or pink flowers are dried and processed into powder. Henna, Latin Lawsonia inermis L., belongs to the family of loosestrife. The henna plant is a shrub that reaches a height of two to six meters. It sprouts small flowers that are white or pink in color. These are used dried and powdered in a variety of applications. Where the henna shrub has its origin is not known. Henna is native to India and the Orient. The active ingredient, the dried flowers, are imported from Egypt and India. The henna plant belongs to the plants of the loosestrife family. The plant is a shrub and grows between 2 to 6 meters high. The small white or pink flowers are dried and processed into powder. This powder is used in very many fields. Where exactly the henna shrub comes from remains unknown. In the past, henna was known by the name True Alcanna. There are the following other names mouth wood, Egyptian dyeing shrub or Egyptian dyeing herb.

Effect and application

In African, Oriental and Indian regions, the patterns of skin painting are veryl different. In India, henna painting especially relies on fine lines and delicate patterns that almost completely cover the feet, wrists as well as the hands. Arab women prefer very large, striking floral patterns and in North Africa geometric patterns are very trendy. Over thousands of years, the technique of applying henna paintings to the skin developed. In one technique, the pattern is applied by a stick and a mixture of ash and the juice of the Euphoria peplus. Once the mixture is dry, then the patterns are reinforced and traced by means of a henna paste. Then the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands are painted with henna, and the joints of the toes and fingers are painted with a red dot. The color is obtained from the dried leaves of henna bushes made into powder. In this process, lukewarm water is whisked into a paste and then applied to the skin. This leaves a red hue on the skin after several hours. Shades of color ranging from various shades of red to a very dark purple can be achieved, depending on how long the paste has been absorbed and how frequently it has been applied. Then the color must remain on the skin for a few hours before it is absorbed into the skin and may be removed. In its full color the painting remains for about a month and after about two months the color is completely off again. Henna is also used as a hair dye, it colors the hair permanently. The powder is mixed with boiling water and then stirred into a paste. The finished mass has a very peculiar smell. In order for the color to last long in the hair, this mixture must be absorbed for up to three hours.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention.

Especially henna tattoos have a very high allergenic risk because of the potential component of PPD. This is because when a tattoo is applied to the skin and stays there for a while, the substance can become embedded in the skin. This can cause swelling, painful redness of the skin or itching. Usually, these reactions of the skin develop within two to ten days. Open wounds may even occur, which then heal only very slowly. This can leave scars, color disturbances or a light sensitivity of the skin. Those who are affected once are sensitized to PPD for the rest of their lives. The problem is that this artificial dye is found in a wide variety of products. And once you are allergic to PPD or its degradation products, you will probably have to do without a great many hair dye products. In addition, sufferers may have to avoid handling dark textiles as well as various plastics. It can also happen that the allergy spreads to other chemical substances. Then the quality of life of those affected is significantly more limited and often psychological damage then remains. This skin damage because of a fun summer vacation very often stresses.The henna plant has many more applications. For example, a composition of the henna plant with bark extracts is used for nervousness. The seed processed into powder is taken to stimulate cell formation. In addition, henna offers a paste that reduces sweat production. This paste is applied to the hands and feet, cooling the entire body. Henna is not only used as a dye on the head, at the same time it is effective against scalp problems such as dandruff, as well as against hair loss. In addition, it protects against the dangerous UV rays. A healing effect against stomach pain, rheumatism and colds has that decoction filtered from the shrub leaves. Women often use it after childbirth in order to regulate their cycle more quickly. However, it should not be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and the same applies to children.