Hannaya Healing

Historical information and uses of henna (from Henna Caravan)

What is Mehndi?

Mehndi is the Hindi word describing the process of painting patterns on the body with henna paste and the resulting stains left on the skin. Using henna paste, intricate patterns are applied to the skin, traditionally on the hands and feet.

A variety of methods are employed when drawing on the skin with the paste. In Morocco syringes prevail, in India, plastic cones similar to pastry bags are popular.

In Africa, saliva is mixed into the powder and then formed into balls and lumps of paste for a rudimentary application and design. Anything from modern squeeze bottles, twigs, a piece of silver wire, or good old fashioned saliva may be used to transfer the paste to the skin. The paste is made from ground leaves of henna plants and a variety of ingredients such as lemons, limes, black tea, coffee, rose petals, orange blossoms, essential oils, cloves, pomegranates, tamarind, okra, and sugar.

Traditionally, ingredients such as lye, urea, yak or camel urine may be added to deepen the color. Rest assured, we use only lemon juice and essential oils in our henna mixture. The paste is left to soak into the skin for 6 to 12 hours; the longer the paste is in contact with the skin the deeper, darker and longer lasting the stain will be. Heat helps to drive the dye into the skin and cause it to become dark. Often women will sit near a small brazier or fire after being henna’ed. When the paste is scraped off, a yellow-orange stain will remain. The color will deepen to a reddish-brown during the next 48 hours and then fade away gradually.

Many theological references to mehndi exist throughout the world. Basically, anywhere that has a period of hot dry weather and a history of goddess worship has utilized henna. This widespread use makes it difficult to establish a date or country of origin for the use of henna and mehndi. Inscriptions place henna in use in Syria as early as 2100 BCE. Evidence exists dating henna’s use in the Greek islands from around 1700 BCE, the Egyptian Dynasties from 1500 BCE and the beautiful cave paintings in Ajanta, India from 400 BCE.

What Color is it and How Long Does it Last?

Once the paste is removed, the yellow-orange stain will begin to oxidize and become darker over the next 48 hours. Natural henna will always leave a stain in the range of orange/red/brown, however, the exact shade can vary. Darkness varies with each persons body chemistry, the area of body chosen, and the length of time the paste remained in contact with the skin.

The longer the paste is in contact with your skin, the darker the color and the longer lasting it will be. It will last the longest, 1-2 weeks, on thicker, dry skin such as hands and feet, and will fade more quickly, 3-10 days, on thinner skinned areas such as arms, chest, and back. As your skin exfoliates and regenerates your mehndi will completely disappear. To obtain the best possible stain apply the paste to hands and feet, keep the area very warm, and leave the paste on at least 8 hours.

Natural henna will never dye your skin purple, pink, blue, or black. Any henna that dyes your skin a color other than reddish-brown has chemicals added that are not clearly healthy or safe. Please use only safe and natural brown henna.

How do I Maintain My Mehndi / Henna Design? Click HERE

Does it Hurt?

Mehndi is completely temporary and pain free since the skin is not broken as in traditional tattooing. When the paste is applied to the skin it feels cool, this is due to the natural cooling properties of the henna plant. You may feel tingling or tickling. This is caused by the essential oils such as eucalyptus which are sometimes used in the mix. Henna feels much like lotion and does not hurt at all. Application of henna paste can be quite relaxing and enjoyable, especially in the warm summer months as it’s cooling and soothing to the skin.

Is it Safe?

The henna plant is one of the oldest cosmetics ever used and is extremely safe.Natural henna, when applied to the skin rarely causes any adverse reactions, if you are concerned you should do a small patch test first. Natural henna is safe even for use on children as it contains no dangerous chemical dyes or harsh additives.

There is no such thing as black henna. In order for henna to produce a black color chemicals that are unsafe for your skin have been added. Black henna should be avoided. A chemical dye known as PPD, which is not authorized for use on the skin by the FDA is often added to the natural henna to produce a black color. Black henna has become very popular in certain tourist areas, particularly Venice Beach and Mexico. It can cause liver and kidney damage, as well as scarring of the skin. For more information please check out the henna page.

When and Why is it Used?

WeddingsIts main use is the adornment of the bride’s hands and feet before the marriage ceremony in Hindu and Muslim cultures. Traditional wedding mehndi can be incredibly dense, resembling lace gloves. It often covers the tops and palms of the hands extending up the arms, and the soles and tops of the feet extending up the legs. Bridal mehndi is a sign of status and celebration and is one of the first gifts from husband to wife.

Often symbols of fertility and love such as peacocks, hearts, and mangoes will be incorporated into the design. The new couples initials are sometimes hidden among the patterns to initiate intimacy on the wedding night. A game is played whereby the groom searches the brides body for their initials.

Certain customs hold that when the new bride moves into her husband’s home she will do no housework while her mehndi is visible. This allows the woman to familiarize herself with her new family and to find her place within it. Once the mehndi has faded she will begin to care for her new family. This is often the first and last vacation a woman will receive in fundamentalist households.

The function of mehndi in wedding rituals extends far beyond beauty and socializing. It is associated with a girls entrance into womanhood at marriage. A relationship exists between mehndi, hymenal blood, and the menstrual cycle. This is due in part, to the color of the dye and its average duration of one week.

Traditionally, only married women practice this art. Mehndi and its accompanying rituals and uses become the single outlet for personal expression and autonomy for many women in the East. A woman will practice and use mehndi until the death of her husband, at which point it’s often given up entirely. However, the widow will mehndi her body in beautiful patterns if she chooses to throw herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.

Pregnancy and other EventsCelebrations of all sorts include mehndi as it is considered to ward off evil, protect from the evil eye, impart goodluck and generally be auspicious in nature due to its red coloring. It may be incorporated into births, naming ceremonies, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, Diwali, Ramadan and numerous other religious feasts, ceremonies and cultural traditions.The application of henna and the corresponding party is usually limited to women. Often female family members and close female friends will participate, this creates an opportunity to receive support and advice. It is a time where women, particularly those in a harem can separate from the structuring rules of their lives and relax.