Henna is known to be the best hair beauty ingredient that India has brought to the rest of the world. For many years, women have used the power of this natural benefit to nourish, strengthen and beautify their hair to another level. Back then, they used henna leaves for several hair treatments, while modern women used henna powder for hair therapy.
Among the most known benefits of henna powder for hair is that it is the best-known natural coloring agent and conditioner. But it is also used for many other reasons that you should seriously consider when using henna powder.
1. Henna improves hair growth
The natural properties that henna powder has are that it promotes hair growth. Henna powder can also be used to create an essential oil that nourishes your hair roots and also encourages growth.
- Boil about 250ml of gingili oil until it starts to smoke.
- Add about 4-5 cups of henna powder to this oil and boil for another 5-6 minutes.
- Now, you can apply this essential oil paste on your hairline about 2-3 times a week.
2. It reduces hair loss
The great combination of henna powder and mustard oil is an effective remedy used for hair loss problems.
- Boil about 250 ml of mustard oil.
- Add some henna leaves to it and keep boiling.
- Use this oil to massage hair roots and scalp 2-3 times a week.
- Use this produced oil within one month.
3. Henna prevents dandruff
Using henna powder regularly on your hair and scalp cures dandruff problem and prevents it from coming back again and again.
- Soak methi seeds in water overnight and grind them the next morning.
- Apply this paste on the hair roots and scalp gently.
- Rinse it off properly after 25 minutes with a mild shampoo. Don’t forget to condition your hair afterwards to achieve the desired shine.
4. It’s a natural hair dye
If you resist using harsh chemicals on your scalp but want cover grays, henna is a natural alternative.
- Add an egg and honey to the henna powder and soak this mixture in a pure iron container overnight for deeper and richer color.
- Remember to avoid applying henna to the scalp while coloring your hair as it can dry out the scalp.
- Oil your hair roots adequately after all this procedure to avoid dryness.
5. It repairs split ends
Dry, unhealthy and damaged hair is always prone to split ends, which worsens the health of your hair. Henna breaks up that vicious curl and gives you deeply conditioned, healthy, shiny and nourished hair.
- Make a paste of henna powder by adding about 3 teaspoons of avocado oil and an egg.
- Add a little water if it gets too thick.
- Apply this paste on your hair and try to completely cover each hair strand.
- Keep it like that for at least 2 hours.
- Rinse it off completely with lukewarm water.
6. Henna controls itchy scalp
Henna has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that soothe your scalp and prevent any other scalp conditions like itchy scalp.
- Grind some henna leaves along with half a cup of tulsi leaves and neem leaves with water.
- As it turned out to be a paste, apply this paste on your hair and scalp and rinse it off properly after an hour with lukewarm water.
7. It makes your hair thick and shiny
Regular use of henna powder on your hair roots not only prevents the problem of hair lossbut also promotes overall hair growth and gives you healthy, shiny, thick and shiny hair.
- Soak henna powder in black tea overnight
- Add half a teaspoon of lemon juice to the henna pack
- You can also add an egg or curd to this paste
- Now apply this paste for 30 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
8. It can be used for oily scalp
When henna powder mixed with Multani mitti ensures to prevent you from hair fall problems due to oily scalp.
- Mix henna and Multani mitti with water to make it pasty
- Apply it like a hair mask and wrap it completely with a towel
- Keep this as is for one night
- Wash this hair pack the next morning with the mild shampoo you usually use.
9. Henna for dry hair
In hot coconut milk, add a few tablespoons of henna powder and olive oil. Make sure the amount of henna powder is just double the olive oil used.
- Mix this ingredient until it turns out to be a paste of thick consistency
- Now apply this hair pack properly on your hair roots and scalp.
- Keep it that way for about an hour, then wash it completely out of your hair with a sulfate-free mild. shampoo and the conditioner
10. It maintains balance and keeps the scalp clean
Henna is known to maintain the natural acid-alkaline balance on the scalp as it effectively removes dirt and oil without disturbing this balance unlike other harsh chemicals.
How to use henna for hair?
Some brands offer to mix henna powder and indigo powder to get brown hair.
Follow the simple steps mentioned below to achieve brown to reddish brown hair.
- Soak henna powder overnight (100g for short hair, 200g for medium length hair, 300g for long hair) in an iron pan preferably in tea water or l coffee water.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice if desired. You can also add yogurt or eggs for extra conditioning.
- The next day, apply the paste to clean hair for 2 hours.
- Rinse your hair well with water. Do not use shampoo.
- Wash your hair the next day with a cleansing shampoo.
Uses of Henna for Hair
Traditionally, people with gray hair usually used henna to color their hair. But henna has also been used to nourish and revitalize them, giving you shiny, shiny hair. Some uses are:
- It acts as a natural conditioner
- It makes your hair roots stronger
Apply henna to hair
Henna is good for those who want to get rid of their gray hair, and people allergic to chemical colors and dyes. Most of us usually apply henna to protect our hair from sun and dust. Henna can make your hair strong and nourish it from the roots.
- Repair and strengthen hair
- Henna improves hair growth
How to choose the best henna for hair?
An important henna dye tip is to always select a shade lighter than the color you are ready to achieveespecially if you have never used henna for hair dye before.
How long should you keep henna in your hair?
Apply henna for a maximum of 2-3 hours at a time, because more than that will make the hair extremely dry and it will also start to break. Pre-conditioning and shampooing should be done before henna application and rinse your hair with plain water only after the process.
Disadvantages of henna on hair
Using henna to dye your hair has many pros and cons. Here is what to know about the disadvantages of henna on hair:
- Difficult to change hair color
- Incorrect application can damage the hair
- Can leave your hair dry
- Application can be tricky
How to apply henna?
Mix half cup 50g henna powder with 1/4 cup 60ml lukewarm water and stir with a spoon to make a paste of good consistency. Cover the bowl with plastic once you are done stirring and let it develop at room temperature for about 10-12 hours. Once it’s ready to apply, add more water if needed to get a thick but spreadable consistency.
Before applying henna, wash your hair with a mild shampoo and let it dry. Do not apply conditioner, as this may prevent the henna from penetrating properly into your roots.
Put on a headband to keep your hair out of your face and apply coconut oil or Vaseline to the hairline so that the oil creates a barrier between the henna and your skin to prevent staining.
Untangle your knots and part your hair down the center. Wear old clothes and place a cloth around your neck to protect your skin from stains. If possible, also wear gloves to protect your hands and fingernails.
Apply the paste to your hair in small sections and at the end, wrap plastic wrap around your hair. The wrap will keep the henna warm and allow moisture to settle. Leave it on for a few hours, to get a deeper and more vibrant color.
Wash your hair and apply conditioner to help loosen the paste. Continue washing until the paste is completely removed from your hair.
The color may take a few days to show, so be patient.
Banana Henna Hair Mask
Henna and banana hair masks will act as a conditioner if applied correctly. Add two tablespoons of henna powder with water and mix in a bowl and soak overnight. The next morning, add a ripe banana to the bowl and mash it into a paste. Apply it generously on your hair and leave it on for 5 minutes. Wash your hair with cold water and repeat the use of this hair mask once a week.
Henna and amla hair mask
Mix one cup of amla powder with 3 tablespoons of henna powder, add water and stir to make a paste. Add the egg white and two tablespoons of lemon juice and soak for about an hour. You can also add two tablespoons of fenugreek powder to make the hair mask more effective. Apply it directly to your roots and hair strands and leave it on for 45 minutes. Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and repeat it once a week to prevent hair loss.
Take away
Henna forms a protective layer for each strand of hair, protecting it against any type of damage. To get thick, shiny locks, apply henna once a week. Henna prevents split ends and pore clogging with its antifungal properties. It also helps improve scalp health.
Maintains a balanced pH to stop hair loss and promote healthy hair growth, but if you’ve tried all sorts of treatments for your hair loss and still haven’t found a cure, you need to check out our Treatment for hair regrowth, which will help reactivate your hair follicles and is clinically proven for hair regrowth. The solution is alcohol-free and approved by dermatologists worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does henna promote hair growth?
The natural properties of henna help stimulate hair growth. The powder can be used to make an essential oil that nourishes and enhances growth.
2. Does henna make hair thicker?
The tannin present in henna actually binds with the hair to make it stronger and does not even penetrate the hair cortex, ensuring minimal damage. This ensures thicker, shinier hair with every application.
3. How often to apply henna to the hair?
You can reapply henna every 3-4 weeks for full coverage. Typically, henna stains last until your hair strands fall out or grow out. Therefore, the frequency of application usually depends on how fast your hair grows, especially if you are using henna to cover your gray hair.
The references
- Henna through the centuries: a rapid HPTLC analysis proposal for check henna identity
- Study of the coloring effect herbal hair formulations on graying hair