Henna has been practised for over 5000 years in Africa, India and Pakistan. Henna contains natural cooling properties. For centuries, desert living people have been using henna to cool down their bodies. They make a paste of henna and soak their palms and soles of the feet in it to get an air conditioning affect. They feel it’s cooling sensation throughout the body for as long as the henna stain remains on their skin. Initially, as the stain faded away,…
If you see a shop or stall while abroad, or even at a festival or fair in the UK offering black henna tattoos, do not be tempted to get one. The black paste in these temporary tattoos may contain a high level of chemical dye so powerful and toxic that it is illegal to use on the skin in this way. The risks of black henna lie in the paste’s ingredients – specifically, a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD). Although PPD…
So summer is here – and henna on your feet looks great when barefoot on the beach or in sandals. Its also a good idea if you don’t want to commit to a permanent tattoo. Henna lasts up to two weeks if you look after it well, and you can get different designs each time. Henna is totally natural, safe and chemical free, and also has a cooling effect and is relaxing to have done – perfect on a warm day….
Many people are aware of henna due to the growing popularity of henna tattoos in the west, especially in the summer time. But did you know it also has cooling aspects to this special plant? It is believed that the practice of Mehandi started out as an answer to keeping cool in the warmer regions. When the desert people of the warm desert regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat became aware of Henna’s cooling properties, they dipped their hands and…
Botanical Name: Lawsonia Inermis The Henna plant produces the renowned orange-red dye that has been used for centuries as hair colouring and body art and adornment. The name ‘henna’ is used for both the plant and the dye that is produced from crushing the plants leaves. The plant is a tall shrub or small tree, with multiple branches, growing up to 6 meters in ideal conditions. The green leaves are elliptical and approximately 5 cm long by 1.5cm wide. Henna flowers…
The Easter school break is nearly upon us, it’s a great holiday filled with chocolate, activities and family gatherings. If you need some inspiration for an activity with the kids, then why not do henna tattoos. These temporary tattoos are perfect for the occasion, and Henna is 100% natural so totally safe and chemical free. Henna is a fascinating and beautiful way to decorate the skin and has been a custom in many countries for thousands of years. Henna is…
Mums to be can celebrate Mother’s day too, with henna body art on their baby bumps! Natural henna is derived from the plant and with no added chemicals is totally safe to use during pregnancy as body art (and for hair dye too). Natural henna for use as a skin dye is often mixed with lemon juice and essential oils. You may want to check that the oils used are safe in pregnancy. It takes more than several hours for…
Have you ever read the long list of chemical ingredients on a boxed hair dye? Synthetic hair dyes are full of potentially harmful chemicals that at high exposures, have been linked with skin and respiratory irritation, a suppressed immune system, and even cancer. They can also in some cases cause severe allergic reactions. If you want a completely natural and chemical free hair dye – then use henna. Henna is a powdered form of the leaves that come from the…
Using high quality aromatherapy grade essential oils in your henna paste will give you beautiful rich dark stains. The essential oils will also change the texture of the henna paste making it smooth and silky, and not only that they will add a beautiful scent. ‘Terps’ is short for monoterpine, a term commonly used by henna artists when adding essential oils to their freshly made henna paste. Generally you need 10-30mL (1/3-1 ounce) of oil per 100 grams of henna…
Source your henna Always make sure your henna is pure, fresh and well sifted. This should be the same whether you are hennaing skin, hair or tambourines! Get your tambourine Many tambourines are made with paper or synthetic heads. The best for henna is an untreated skin head tambourine. Make sure its one without a manufacturers stamp on the head which may prove tricky to cover up. Make your henna paste Mix your henna powder with lemon or lime juice,…