Rediscovering henna has been a wonderful natural alternative for hair color and hair health! I’ve used henna before in the past which resulted in dry parched hair. What I did not know at the time was that the henna I had bought was labeled “dark brown henna” and had chemical hair color and metallic salts in the mix.
Pure henna comes in one color, red, and although it can be mixed with other natural ingredients for other colors, it cannot lighten your hair. Cloves, walnut hulls, coffee and black tea can be added to darken henna for a dark brown color. Indigo powder can be added to henna for a rich black as well as soaking the henna in an iron bowl overnight. Beetroot and hibiscus flowers can be used for a strong burgundy color. Methi powder and lemons can create a burnished highlight.
There are two other forms of “henna” that aren’t even henna at all, “neutral henna” and “black henna”. “Neutral henna” is Cassia obovata and has a golden dye that will give blond and gray hair a yellow hue. It is also used as a conditioning treatment for darker hair to which one does not want any color added. “Black henna” is really indigo also known as Indigofera tinctoria. Indigo is used with henna to create a shiny black hair color or can be used alone. Indigo is very similar to henna in appearance. Any product labeled “black henna” or “black mehndi” that is black or brownish black in color isn’t true indigo and could be PPD, para-phenylenediamine, an extremely hazardous aniline, coal tar dye.
Henna benefits maintaining healthy hair growth because it repairs and seals the hair cuticle creating less breakage. Coating hair with henna allows moisture to retain better in hair making it more resilient and much stronger with a natural shine. It has been used for years as a natural remedy for hair loss, graying of the hair, dandruff, and hair lice. Henna is an excellent deep conditioning hair treatment.
Body art henna is the only henna safe to apply over previously processed hair that has been colored, relaxed, or permed. It isn’t okay to use any chemical hair dyes over henna. It is also very important to buy quality henna from a trusted source. Karishma Herbal Henna can be used for hair or skin. It is finely grounded and also contains amla, shikakai, aritha, and bhringrhaj, all ayurvedic herbs to strengthen hair. You can also find quality henna at Mehandi.com.
When using henna make sure to use plastic gloves, wear old clothing or black, and mix with a plastic or bamboo spoon. Allow your mixture to sit overnight so that the natural dye will release. Also protect your surroundings and apply with patience. Parting your hair into four sections is a simple way to make sure you have covered your hair completely and thoroughly. Mixing henna with coconut milk, honey or sugar will change the consistency from grainy to smooth making it easier to apply, wash out, and clean up.
For more information about henna and its uses go to The Henna Page and Henna For Hair.
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8 Comments
I use Jamila henna for my hair and mix with coconut milk. Using lemon juice or acv made my hair too dry. Coconut milk still gave a good dye release. I’ve been using henna for a year now and my hair is much stronger than it has ever been and I have less shedding. I’d recommend henna to anyone okay with having the color that goes with it. You can add indigo to darken it if you don’t want red or burgundy.
Coconut milk is really good with henna! Thanks for the comment
my favorite mix is henna and full-fat yogurt
it works wonderfully on my curly hair! Love your blog ! I will be subbing to your posts!
I’m so glad you like my blog! Thanks so much
Thanks for this post! I want to start using henna on my hair and I have used quality henna on my skin in the past. I was recently warned by a hair stylist that some people who use henna on their hair return with very light (almost translucent) roots who have naturally dark hair. I’m sure they must be using some crazy “henna hair dye.” I have seen pictures of “Black Henna” burns and they are pretty terrible. I just downloaded the Henna for Hair free E-book.
Hi Miko,
Most hair stylists warn against henna because they have been educated to think that all henna is the same. Henna with metallic salts and chemicals do damage hair because it is not pure henna. To make sure that you are getting quality henna it is truly best to only use body art quality that can be applied on skin. That is the purest with the finest shift so it is easily applied and rinsed from hair. I absolutely love what henna has done for my hair and hope that you enjoy your henna experience. I’m glad you downloaded the free E-book too. It is great reading up on new things before trying them.
Best Wishes,
Dawn Michelle
Dear Dawn,
Love your website. What do you think of this though: Would it be helpful to add your hair type and texture so that readers could decide whether recipes makes sense for them? It would add complexity and work but it would be helpful if variations to the recipes could be added according to hair type. Example: add more oil if you have type X hair.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful research! It is cost saving too.
Sheila.
Hi Shelia,
I’m so glad you like my site and thanks for such a wonderful comment. I have medium to thick curly dry hair with fine strands. I think that is why I love henna so much. It strengthens my strands and helps weigh down the curls giving them a smooth and shiny look. I know that all hair types have benefited from henna. I am writing based on my own personal experience and even others with curly hair may have their own unique results. I think variations of recipes will be helpful to many so I appreciate the suggestion. What I love so much about DIY beauty is that you can modify it however you like to best fit your own personal needs.
Best wishes and enjoy your weekend!
Dawn Michelle