Indian Henna: History and Process

Henna grows in countries that have hot climates. It mainly grows in Middle Eastern countries namely India, Pakistan, Iran, and many others. It is also available in other parts of the world such as Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean, and also in the Southern United States. It has generally been acknowledged that Indian Henna is the best produced. It has been used for many years as a cosmetic product and also has medicinal value. The word henna has come from the Persian word which means a shrub that produces flowers.

Henna powder is made from the leaves of the henna plant. After collecting the leaves, it is taken to the factory and grounded my machine. The powder is then sifted so that no leaves remain in the powder. The powder is then packed in small packets and sold. The henna powder is made by mixing different types of henna leaves from different countries of the world. Fine henna powder is mainly used for cosmetic purposes.

History and origin of Henna :

though it is very tough to track the origin of henna yet it can surely be said that it was widely available in India. Henna was used in ancient India for ceremonial occasions. It has historical evidence. However, some historians believe that during the 12th Century with the establishment of the Mughal Empire, henna was introduced in India.

Indian Henna is best for mehendi purposes. It is the art form of applying henna. The form varies from one place to another. The designs of different places mean different things in different cultures. It may mean spiritual enlightenment, good health, wisdom, and fertility. Mehendi is a very prominent part of Indian culture and tradition. The Indians use fine and thin lines for drawing floral patterns. It is applied on the entire hands, feet, and forehead. The fine floral designs of henna are applied to the body parts. It is then left to dry and from time to time lemon juice is applied to the body parts. It helps to deepen the color of the henna. The women of India mainly apply mehendi on some auspicious occasions such as wedding ceremonies etc.

Process of the Henna

Mehendis, the art form, is considered an expression of fun and happiness. It generally lasts for 1 to 4 weeks. However, it depends mainly on how long the henna was left on the body. The mehendi designs will last if you rub your hands less, or apply less water and keep your exposure to soap limited.

It is also used for coloring hair. The pure and natural form of henna does not produce the color black. The color ranges from black cherry and orange to red. It can be used for conditioning the hair. Henna

Indian henna is usually considered safe. However, many people may be allergic to henna. They may have sensitive skin and applying natural henna on the body parts can cause eruptions. So it is recommended to do an allergic test on a small part of the body. Henna is not at all recommended to use around the eyes or inside the mouth.

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