Henna
Henna is a shrub that can be either annual or perennial, thriving for a period ranging from three to ten years. It can grow up to three meters tall and is characterized by its red roots and numerous branching stems that start green and turn brown upon maturity. This plant emits a strong aromatic scent, and there are two varieties: one with purple flowers and the other with white flowers. Common names for henna include Syrian henna, local henna, Baghdadi henna, and spiny henna.
Health Benefits of Henna
Henna has been recognized for centuries for its use in treating various health issues. It has been employed to address conditions such as eczema and ulcers affecting the mouth, tongue, and gums. However, it is crucial to use henna for gargling only, as ingestion can lead to digestive problems. Additionally, henna can be utilized to relieve headaches by creating a paste to apply to the forehead. It is also effective for treating cracked heels when applied. Historically, Arab communities were some of the most prominent users of henna for medicinal purposes, employing it for burns and various skin inflammations. Furthermore, henna flowers have been used in perfume production and for beautifying hands and feet, as well as treating acne on the face and body.
Benefits of Henna for Hair
Henna offers numerous benefits when applied to hair, including:
- Eliminating dandruff and cleansing the scalp of germs and microbes.
- Treatment of hair split ends.
- Nourishing hair from the roots, thanks to its protein content that strengthens and softens hair while enhancing its healthy appearance.
- Preventing hair loss, thereby reducing the risk of baldness.
- Providing natural moisture and vitality to hair.
- Shielding hair from sun damage, as henna coats each strand with a protective protein layer that fights harmful UV rays.
- Offering a natural dye for hair while camouflaging gray strands.
Drawbacks of Henna for Hair
Despite its benefits, henna also has several drawbacks, including:
- Difficulty in removing henna from hair, as it adheres to each strand and can only fade as the hair grows.
- Possibility of producing an undesirable, unexpected color on the hair.
- Incompatibility with regular hair dyes post-henna application, since the chemicals in regular dyes cannot alter the color for at least five months.
- Potential to dry out hair, especially if hair is normal or dry; hence regular moisturizing is recommended after henna use, using specific hair oils.
- Substandard or fake henna can cause scalp sensitivities and other skin issues, including hair loss.
Recommended Practices When Using Henna on Hair
Here are some tips to consider when using henna on your hair:
- Utilize wooden, plastic, or glass containers for mixing henna to prevent metal reactions.
- Promptly clean any stains that might occur on your hands or body during preparation, as they may be difficult to remove later.
- Conduct a patch test on a small area of skin to ensure there is no allergic reaction to henna.
- Applying a bit of olive oil behind ears and along the hairline can prevent staining these areas when applying henna to hair.
- Wearing gloves during henna preparation and application is advisable, along with long-sleeved clothing to avoid staining the arms.
- Avoid using henna on hair that has been chemically dyed with regular hair colorants.
- Consider replacing water in the henna mixture with a decoction of natural herbs, such as green walnut leaves, to achieve a rich brown color.
- Incorporating yogurt into the henna paste can help mitigate dryness, as can adding honey.
- For a darker dye, small amounts of ground cloves or coffee, as well as lavender or rosemary oil, can be included.
- To achieve optimal results, rinse hair with water and conditioner after using henna, using shampoo the following day.
- To maintain the henna color for a longer period, boil orange and lemon peels for ten minutes and use the infusion for mixing henna.
- The day after henna application, it is beneficial to perform an oil treatment, particularly for dry hair; coconut oil is one of the best choices to use.