I continually rave about the benefits of using henna for healthy hair. I’ve been using henna in my hair care consistently since March 2010. As much as I love henna, the only draw back is the time commitment of actually creating my henna mix, applying it to my hair, allowing it to remain on my hair for a minimum of three hours, then finally rinsing and styling my hair.
In 2010 I was obsessed with henna and used it weekly. At the time my hair needed all the strength it could get, plus I loved the red highlights it gave my dark brown hair from the dye release. As years progressed I used henna less often as it wasn’t necessary, and I no longer wanted to spend as much time doing my hair.
This year I’ve been applying a henna, amla, and coconut milk mixture to my hair every two months. This provides my hair with an incredible deep conditioning and strengthening treatment as well as boosting my red henna highlights. You can find this most recent full strength henna recipe here. The only problem is that because I’ve become extra lazy busy, I missed my last full henna treatment. This is where the DIY Henna Tea Strengthening & Conditioning Spritz comes into the picture.
For the past month I’ve been experimenting with using a simple henna tea mix which I first came across in a YouTube video by Curly Proverbz. She is also a henna enthusiast and needed to find a way to incorporate henna into her regimen without the extra time needed for full applications. Although her recipe differs a bit from mine, I wanted to share what I’ve been using and why I love this recipe so much.
What you will need…
1 cup of boiled water
1 tsp of body art quality henna powder
1 tsp of amla powder
5 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional)
spray bottle
After boiling the water, add the powdered ingredients to a clean glass jar, and place the lid on top for steeping. I prefer to let this tea steep for 4-8 hours or overnight. The longer the tea steeps, the more potent it becomes, and the easier it is to pour afterwards since the powders have settled to the bottom of the jar.
Although straining the tea through clean nylons, cheesecloth, or another ultra fine strainer is beyond helpful, if the powdered ingredients have settled well I just use the top liquid for my henna tea spritz. I pour my henna tea directly into my spray bottle with the help of a funnel. Now that the liquid has cooled, this is the perfect time to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for scent or extra hair growth benefits. I’ve been using the tea without essential oil recently, yet I may add some lavender essential oil to my next batch. I store my henna tea in the refrigerator and make a new batch every 2-3 weeks.
How I’ve been using this DIY Henna Tea Strengthening & Conditioning Spritz
After washing my hair with a shampoo bar in sections or simply rinsing my hair very well with just water, I throughly spritz my hair and scalp with this henna tea. I wrap a towel around my shoulders designated specifically for my hair to avoid possibly staining my clothing or another towel. I then add about five drops of oil (or a bit of shea butter) to each section and braid my hair in eight braids for setting.
Now that it is getting colder outside, I’ve been setting my hair in braids to easily wear my hair in updos or buns. Although I am a wash and go lover, I’m trying to protect my hair from the cold air versus just enjoy the volume of my curls all the time. I use this DIY Henna Tea Strengthening & Conditioning Spritz 1-2 times per week when I wash or rinse my hair.
You can use this henna tea as a hair rinse, yet I use it as a strengthening and conditioning leave-in. I find it much easier to make this henna tea than to make flaxseed gel and blend in shea butter, so I’ve been experimenting with the easier route. Right now keeping things as simple as possible seems to be the motto.
I am thinking of adding a teaspoon of another Ayurvedic herb to this mix such as brahmi, neem, or fenugreek, but for now this has been my basic recipe. I have replaced using an apple cider vinegar rinse after shampooing with this henna tea to save time. I should test the pH of this tea to ensure that it is acidic enough to close my hair cuticles properly after using a shampoo bar, but I haven’t gotten to that as of yet since I’m out of pH testing strips. I did want to let you know that just in case you were wondering.
The Benefits of Henna Tea
1. Super easy to make and use.
2. Strengthens and conditions hair while boosting red highlights in my dark brown hair.
3. Takes much less time to incorporate henna into my hair regimen.
4. Uses less henna and amla overtime therefore extending the life of my henna and amla powder.
5. Provides shine and is an awesome leave-in tonic for hair.
6. My hair feels soft, thick, and strong at the same time.
Have you tried using henna as a rinse or leave-in treatment for your hair?
Read more on how I use henna, and it’s amazing benefits for healthy hair here!
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Nicolle says
Hi Dawn, I’ve used henna for a few years now, just as a powder mixed with hot water and left on for a few hours. Today I tried steeping it and just added some rose water for a nice scent. Throughout the day I have sprayed it on to my dry hair and already by nightfall the greys are covered and the shine has returned. I usually get four weeks out of the dye, but this is astounding! Thank you so much, love your blog a lot.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nicolle,
Wow this is beyond awesome! I was wondering how steeping henna for a tea spritz would work on covering greys. Thanks so much for sharing this. I still can’t get over how simple and effective this is for my own hair. Thanks for the sweet compliment too!
Ariel Anderson says
Hi Dawn,
I also follow Curly Proverbs and did try making the Henna tea once before. I used it once then the next wash day I had major shedding.
I’ve been afraid to try it ever since. I am having issues with breaking split ends. I may try again in attempts to heal my ends.
How often are you trimming your ends? Do you feel Henna can mend your ends with continual use? Or is it best to cut them off?
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Ariel
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Ariel,
Have you tried using henna traditionally or with coconut milk which is my favorite? I’m wondering if you had an allergic reaction to henna or the other herbs added. In general henna has helped me with preventing hair shedding and has promoted growth. I’m sorry that you had a bad experience with your previous henna tea recipe.
As for split ends or breakage, it can sometimes be an issue of product build-up. If the hair gets dry and dehydrated it will split and break more easily. Product build-up can prevent the hair from absorbing water properly which is the best moisturizer for hair.
I’ve been pretty hard headed about it in the past, but I am really trying to focus less on styling my hair this winter and wearing it instead in updos a majority of the time. I truly am a wash and go girl, yet updos keep my hair moisturized so much longer with less split ends and knots.
Also I don’t trim my hair often at all. I’ve only cut/trimmed my hair once in the last year. I will cut out knots though. I don’t find split ends as much as I will find single strand knots. I do think henna keeps my hair very strong which is why it has been the one consistent factor in my hair regimen for the past six plus years. If you do try the henna tea again let me know how it turns out.
Felicia says
Hello I was wondering if you have to worry about the henna tea staining your clothing or hands while using it? Also I did a henna/indigo treatment on my hair and loved it at first but I feel like much of the color has washed out after about two weeks. My greys are an orange color instead of the dark brown they were at first. I left it on for three hours. Was that not long enough to make it permanent?I do WOW so products shouldn’t be an issue. Thank you so much for all the information you provide!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Felicia,
I never had any issues with this henna tea staining clothing in the past, yet it would probably be a good idea not to wear white on the days you use it as a precaution. As for indigo, I’ve only used it twice so I don’t feel as if I’ve used it enough to be an expert in its regards as I feel using henna alone. How is water only washing working for you?
Rhonda Lyle says
Hi Dawn, I am friend’s of your parents. I grew my perm out almost 2 years ago. My hair is now all natural with shoulder length when blown dried out. I have not done my own hair in years. I’m starting with your online advice.
1. What is the best way to wash…what product should I use to ensure the hair is clean and easy to comb without tangles.
2. I will use your henna products to cover my grey. How long do I let my chemical color grow out before I start using henna to cover the grey. The chemical color has damaged my front hairline.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Rhonda Lyle,
Caring for natural hair usually involves a bit of trial and error as you learn what your hair likes. I tend to prefer using chemical-free products and keeping my hair care as simple as possible. In general I find it helpful to wash and condition my hair in at least four sections to reduce tangles since my hair is too thick to wash it all together without a tragedy of knots. Finger detangling or using a seamless comb gently reduces breakage as well as avoiding heat.
I’ve tried so many DIY hair care products which you can find throughout the blog, yet there are still great store bought lines if that is your preference. As for henna, I always mix it with canned coconut milk and henna for easy application and rinsing. You can use henna over traditional hair color, yet it isn’t effective using traditional hair color over henna. I hope this helps some and that the articles on the blog will give you even more information. Have a beautiful day!
Dorothy says
Hi Dawn, my hair is very fine and doesn’t same to get much to no length at all. I am natural and have been for seven years. My hair isn’t breaking but it’s mostly dry. I henna every 3 months, deep condition, pre poo with coconut oil, use a good leave and LOC every couple days. Help! What I’m I doing wrong?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dorothy,
If your hair isn’t retaining length it most likely is breaking in areas. Also your could be experiencing build up from all the products you are using. I shared info on build up here and also a very simple regimen here which may be helpful to you too. I also wash my hair 1-2 times a week now that I have the time and it has been very helpful compared to when I was stretching my washes because I was caring my son when he was a baby and had no time for myself.