The Benefits of Natural Henna for Your Hair
Henna is one of the most popular all-natural dyes in the world. With origins dating back to ancient Egypt, henna has been used for centuries due to its natural pigment and medicinal properties. Henna is used as a natural hair dye, but it also has a variety of other benefits and can strengthen, condition, and nourish your hair.
If you’re looking for a natural, nourishing hair dye or you’re considering using henna on your hair, this article will give you a brief history of henna, educate you on the various types of henna, and outline the variety of benefits for henna hair care. For over 20 years, Hanihan has been researching, developing, and creating natural hair care products based on ancient Chinese recipes. In this article, we’ll share our knowledge about henna hair care with you.
What is henna?
Henna, or Lawsonia inermis, is an evergreen flowering plant that has been used for beauty purposes since ancient times. The henna plant was traditionally grown in Asia and the Mediterranean region, but henna is now also grown in tropical and semi-arid regions around the world.
Henna leaves are dried and crushed to create a fine powder. That powder is then mixed with water or other natural ingredients to create a rich green or red-brown pigment that can be used as a natural dye for skin or hair.
The earliest use of the henna plant dates back to about 9,000 years ago in ancient Egypt. It is said that Cleopatra, the last reigning queen of the ancient civilization, used henna to adorn her body. Egyptians also used henna to paint the nails of mummies before burying them.
Today, henna is used all over the world for a variety of purposes including body decoration, ceremonial traditional, hair dye, ornamentation, medicinal skin treatments, and more.
Henna for Hair Care
Henna can be used as a natural hair dye, but its beneficial properties reach far beyond just color. Along with acting as a natural dye, henna can stimulate hair growth, condition hair, improve scalp health, and more. Henna is ideal for those seeking a nourishing natural hair dye without the added chemicals.
There are three varieties of henna that can be used on your hair: natural, neutral, and black henna.
Natural henna: Natural henna, also known as red henna, produces a rich, red-brown color that can darken in the days after it is applied. This form of henna is pure, unlike the other types which may be made from other plants or dyes. Natural henna is recommended for those who want to dye their hair naturally, without the use of chemicals.
Neutral henna: This type of henna does not contain color for your hair. Neutral henna doesn’t actually contain henna, and is instead made from a plant called Senna Italica. It can be used as a natural conditioner without adding color to your hair.
Black henna: Black henna is derived from indigo and can contain other dyes and chemicals such as PPD (para-phenylenediamine). This type of henna can cause allergic reactions and can even permanently scar skin when left on for more than 2-3 days. Black henna should be avoided in beauty products. If you want to dye your hair black, we recommend using pure indigo powder.
Benefits of Henna for Hair
In traditional medicine, henna is an astringent, purgative, and abortifacient. Henna also has many benefits for any type of hair. “Henna has antifungal properties, which make it beneficial for those with dandruff and hair-fall related issues, as well as other microbial problems,” says Dr. Khushboo Garodia, a certified trichologist.
Here are some of the benefits of natural henna for your hair.
Henna Improves Scalp Health
Henna has a natural cooling effect on your scalp. Plus, henna’s antifungal and antimicrobial properties fight dandruff and scalp itchiness. Overall, henna will leave your scalp feeling clean, cool, and refreshed.
Henna Balances Your Scalp’s PH levels and Oil Production
Henna naturally balances the pH and oil production of your scalp. It removes excess oil, restore your scalp to its natural acid-alkaline level, and unclog follicles. Henna also helps maintain the function of your scalp’s sebaceous glands - exocrine glands in the skin that opens into a hair follicle to secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum.
Henna Reduces Hair Fall and Stimulates Hair Growth
With a healthier scalp, your hair will be healthier overall. Henna can help reduce hair loss while stimulating hair growth.
Henna Strengthens and Repairs Hair
Henna contains natural nutrients, proteins, and antioxidants that help to nourish your hair and repair hair damage. It helps to seal the hair cuticle, which will make your hair look shinier and more lustrous. Henna is also loaded with tannins, a plant compound found in teas that contributes to their rich coloring. Tannis helps to reduce premature graying.
Henna Conditions Hair
Henna contains vitamin E, which helps to soften and condition hair. When used regularly, henna builds a protective barrier around each hair shaft, which keeps the hair moisturized and conditioned. When your hair is conditioned, you’re less likely to see breakage and split ends.
Haninan’s Henna Natural Plant Hair Nourishing Powder
If you’d like to try henna hair care for yourself, we recommend Hanihan’s Henna Natural Hair Nourishing Powder. This powder is made from pure Henna Leaf (Lawsonia inermis) and stimulates hair growth, reduces hair loss, prevents dandruff, and repairs split ends. Simply mix the powder with hot water, work the mixture from the roots to the tips, leave in for 90 minutes, and rinse. Use this powder regularly and your hair will become thick, lustrous, and shiny. Try the Henna Nourishing Powder.
Conclusion: Try Henna Hair Care for Yourself
If you’re looking for natural, nourishing hair color, henna is the way to go. By using henna on your hair regularly, you’ll see numerous benefits including rich color, a healthier scalp, shinier hair, and stimulated hair growth. Hanihan has been developing natural hair care products for over 20 years, and we have developed our own henna natural hair nourishing powder based on ancient Chinese recipes. Try henna for yourself and discover the beauty that comes from nature!
