Let’s know first what Henna is.

Henna, popularly known as mehendi, is a traditional cosmetic product. It is said to be originated from the Indian subcontinent and North Africa. 

Henna can refer to as a temporary body art that results from the skin’s staining by using dyes. After henna stains reach their peak reddish brown color, they remain for a few days, then get wear off by natural exfoliation, generally within seven days to two weeks.

It is commonly used to create temporary tattoos on the skin, especially on hands and feet, which last for a couple of days. It is also used in hair coloring, and you must be aware that it is a popular alternative to chemical hair dyes, as it is natural and gentle on the hair and scalp. 

Henna is also used in many cultures for celebrating different occasions, like marriage rituals, religious festivals, etc. In some countries, it is also used as a traditional adornment for women, and Henna is seen as a symbol of femininity and beauty.

What is it composed of? How is it made? How is it used?

Henna is a plant-derived pigment. It is made from the dried leaves of the henna plant (scientific name Lawsonia inermis), a native plant of North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The leaves are ground into a fine powder and mixed with water and other ingredients (such as lemon juice or tea for deep stains) to apply a paste to the skin or hair. Whole henna leaves aren’t able to stain the skin. It will not stain the skin until the molecules inside the leaves are released from the leaves.

But as we see, the dried Henna leaves to stain the skin after being mashed into a paste. The science behind the henna stain is that the molecules of leaves, i.e., lawsone molecules, get migrated from the henna paste into the skin’s outer layer and bind to the proteins present in it, thus resulting in a reddish brown stain.

Once the powder has been mixed into a thick paste,  the reaction of the dye molecule into the mixture will only remain for upto two to six days. If you don’t want to use the paste immediately,   within the first few days after mixing, it can be frozen up to be used for upto four months to secure the dye release, for thawing, and to use later.

Commercially packaged henna pastes available in the market can stain the skin for longer than seven days without refrigeration or freezing because they contain other chemicals along with henna paste that may be dangerous to the skin. These chemicals are often not written on the packaging and have a wide range of colors, including that which appears to be a natural-looking color stain produced by Henna. These products often do not contain any henna. 

There are many adulterated henna pastes available in the markets for sale today, and they are marketed as “natural,” “pure,” or “organic,” all containing a lot of dangerous undisclosed additives. The length of time for a pre-manufactured paste to arrive in the hands of consumers is typically four months because it has to be frozen for that period, which is much longer than the seven-day dyes available in markets. Therefore, one can easily differentiate that any pre-made paste shipped into a cone and not s frozen a potentially harmful adulterated chemical variety of Henna.

Henna only stains the skin one color, a variation of reddish brown, not those dark brown, maroon, etc. And also, it Colors at full maturity three days after application, not overnight.

How is it commonly transported and used?

Since it is difficult to form the beautiful designs we usually see from coarsely crushed leaves, Henna is commonly shipped and used as a powder,  made by drying, milling, and sifting the leaves. The dry powder is mixed with one or more than one number of liquids, including water, lemon juice, strong tea, and other ingredients, depending on the traditions.

Different artists use sugar or molasses in the henna paste to improve its consistency to keep it stuck to the skin better and give it a good color. The henna mix must be kept at rest between one and 48 hours before use to release the lawsone molecules from the leaf. The timing depends on the crop of Henna being used. Essential oils with high levels of monoterpene alcohols, such as tea tree, cajuput, or lavender, will improve skin stain characteristics. Unlike pre-mixed paste, powdered fresh Henna, which is used for hair, can be easily shipped worldwide and stored for many years in a well-sealed package.

What does history tell us about Henna?

Henna/ Mehndi has a fascinating history; it is believed to have been used for more than 5000 years. In earlier times, it was used for different purposes, like doing temporary tattoos and creating ritualistic body markings. It was even used as a symbol of social status in the past. In today’s life, it is often used for special occasions such as weddings, festivals, and other celebrations, and it is a popular form of body art in many parts of the world.

Henna has been used to decorate and make young women’s bodies look beautiful as part of different celebrations since the late Bronze Age. History mentions Henna in the context of marriage and fertility celebrations,  which tells that women marked themselves with Henna to look beautiful when they prepared to meet their respective husbands.

Wall paintings excavated at Akrotiri (dating before the eruption of Thera in 1680 BCE) show women having Henna on their nails, palms, and soles and brides adorned with Henna. Many statuettes of young women, which date between 1500 and 500 BCE, show the hands of women with markings consistent with Henna.

This oldest connection between young, fertile women and Henna is the origin of the Night of the Henna, now celebrated in the middle east. The Night of the Henna was usually celebrated by the groups in the areas where Henna grew naturally: Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, and Zoroastrians. And all others celebrated marriages and weddings by adorning the bride, and often the groom, with Henna. Across the henna-growing region,  Eid, Diwali, Karva Chauth, Passover, Nowruz, Mawlid, and most saints’ days were celebrated with some henna.

Favorite horses, donkeys, and Salukis had hooves, paws, and tails stained with Henna. Battle victories, births, circumcision, birthdays, Zār, and weddings usually included some henna as part of the celebration.

Bridal henna nights remain important in many of these areas, particularly among traditional families. Henna was regarded as having good luck and was applied for luck, joy, and beauty. Brides typically had the most Henna and complex patterns to support their greatest joy and wishes for luck.

The fashion of “Bridal Mehndi” in North Indian, Bangladesh, has a lot of complexity and elaboration, with innovations in glitter, gilding, and fine-line work. Recent technological innovations in grinding, sifting, temperature control, and packaging henna and government encouragement for henna cultivation have improved dye content and artistic potential for Henna.

How the Mehndi/ henna is applied?

The color of the stain can vary, depending on the individual’s skin type, the quality of the Henna, and the length of time the paste is left on the skin. Henna only stains the skin one color, a variation of reddish brown, at full maturity three days after application. Body art quality henna is often more finely sifted than henna powders for hair.

Mehndi is considered safe for most people, but it is important to use high-quality, fresh Henna prepared properly to minimize the risk of skin irritation or allergic reactions. Some people may also experience temporary skin discoloration, especially if they have sensitive skin or are using low-quality Henna.

In conclusion, Henna is a beautiful and rich cultural tradition passed down through generations. Whether used for special occasions, body art, or hair dyeing, it is a popular and beloved cosmetic in many parts of the world. With its unique history and cultural significance, Mehndi will remain a cherished part of the world’s beauty and cosmetic traditions for generations to come.

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