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Many Islamic, Indian, and Sephardic Jewish wedding ceremonies focus on the decoration of the bride's feet, hands, and hair with henna. In Morocco, where these rituals last for three days, on the day before the wedding, the bride's best friends will gather at her house to talk and dance while a tattoo artist creates precious decorations on her hands and feet, taking up to 4 hours due to the complexity of the design. On some occasions, the same artist will also work on the bride's hair and hairstyle, or attempt the intricate design of lace gloves along the hands of the celebrant. Once the embellishment work is completed, the bride will properly cover the artwork, ensuring its integrity until the following morning, being very careful not to ruin even the hair cut. Although these rituals generally involve the bride, in some Indian regions, ceremonies of this kind that also involve the man are discreetly widespread. From a cultural point of view, it is quite evident how this natural painting represents a symbol in various ways:
Believe it or not in colors
Among Arab popular beliefs, we find the Yinn and the dye parties (Hafla al hena), both focused on health and the use of these color powders to protect the individual from the evil eye. According to local culture, it seems that these types of celebrations are particularly appreciated by the deities, who reciprocate kindness by offering special attention to the women who participate, ensuring prosperity and fertility. It is no coincidence that many subjects of these tattoos refer to these deities. The henna tattoo artists are in turn adulated and considered true masters and points of reference within the community, despite generally coming from humble families and leading lives often detached from typical Muslim standards. These women are accustomed to traveling alone, usually working at night, and smoking in public, making this type of veneration by other girls within the walls of a world deeply attached to the principles of their religion even more "irrational.".
What are hair made of?
Our beloved hair is composed of dead fiber and a protein called keratin. This in turn is made up of long chains of amino acids that are formed thanks to the action of elements such as carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Our hair is very particular, in fact, it is enough to consider that these chains are linked together like pearls on a necklace, and sometimes they cross, connected to each other by the so-called "links". These links are responsible for the strength and elasticity of the root of each hair. Each hair strand consists of three parts: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The medulla is the innermost layer of the hair, however, not everyone has it and it is more common in thick and fairly oily hair.
The cuticle
The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair. There is a solid layer characterized by a structure of some kind of tiles. The cuticle of a healthy hair strand is present inside the hair, protecting it from external damage and ensuring the right moisture. To ensure the maximum health of our hair, we must take care to keep the hair cuticle protected and well hydrated, especially in the case of curly or frizzy hair.
The cortex of the scalp
This is a large plant with very fragrant small white flowers, usually found in the northernmost area of Africa, India, and the Middle East. Characterized by an intense color between brown and orange, the Lawsonia Inermis plant is mainly used as a natural dye. The fresher this hair powder is, the more intense the color tone will be on your hair, also ensuring a longer-lasting effect. A plant belonging to the Lythraceae family that can reach a height between 2 to 7 meters. Lawsonia prefers dry climates, as it naturally does not require a large amount of moisture to develop. This plant has a very branched and thorny stem, with deciduous dark green leaves, spiral-shaped and opposite to each other. As we have already mentioned, the flowers are white, but can also be yellow, with 4 petals and approximately 3 centimeters in size. These flowers are arranged in groups on the plant and produce a sweet and very sharp scent. The fruits of Lawsonia ripen about 60 days after flowering. The beauty of the plant is undeniable and certainly does not go unnoticed. The contrast between the dark green of the plant's body and the delicate colors of the fruits make it one of nature's most successful creations, from an aesthetic point of view. Unfortunately, given the generous size of a mature plant, it is difficult to keep it indoors. Famous for dyeing hair, by transforming the leaves into powder, this shrub allows you to create many shades of colors, if combined with other plants or fruits. In this way, it is possible to obtain truly natural dyes that do not damage the hair.
If you are interested in learning more about the most natural hair product in the world.. then you will be interested in:
Henna is known worldwide as a cosmetic, but this does not detract from its important medicinal properties, thanks to the active ingredients contained in the leaves, fruits, and even in the plant's shrub. Lawsonia has healing properties such as emmenagogue, astringent, digestive, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, whose effectiveness has been widely recognized. This shrub, surprisingly valid from a medical point of view, can regulate the menstrual cycle, help the body fight infections, gastrointestinal ulcers, headaches, sore throat, arthritis, fever, and bronchitis. It is also extremely useful for hair and hair regrowth, making it an excellent natural product to counteract sexual impotence. It can be applied both externally and internally, by ingestion, in the form of an infusion or dye. There are no major contraindications reported, but caution is still advised, because if taken in large quantities it could be abortive and therefore, more generally, it is not recommended to consume it during pregnancy. A plant for aesthetics, if used as a product for our hair, but also valid for improving the health of our body, which we hope will find more and more diffusion, even in the West.
That henna is a panacea for our well-being is no longer a mystery, but let's see specifically how, following grandma's advice and a good dose of popular wisdom, we could use its powder to prepare a mask against dandruff and to contain hair loss, mixing it with mustard seed oil. It may seem strange, but the potion is said to work if left on the scalp for 15 minutes and then rinsed thoroughly under running water.
Against hemorrhoids The poultice of crushed Lawsonia leaves is conducive to containing bleeding and inflammation in general and is therefore one of the best remedies for hemorrhoids. To take advantage of this natural medicine, you will need to crush the plant and place the various remnants on a cloth and then apply it to the painful area.
Where there is a market and demand, scams and frauds also arise, often at the expense of consumers' health. For this reason, it is our duty to inform ourselves and learn to choose the best products, without jeopardizing the physical condition of our bodies. Knowing how to read the ingredients of a label is essential in this sense, because information is always the first social cure against any disease. First of all, be suspicious of hair dye packages that have too many components. For example, in the case of black hair, to dye the entire mane properly, only one ingredient would be enough: indigo. Stop. In some cases, other plants such as walnut husk could also be included, capable of giving your hair lighter shades and very particular reflections, absolutely natural and beneficial for our scalp. The teeth of the comb can stop trembling and rest assured, postponing all worries to those times when you find harmful ingredients such as sodium picramate (often indicated as sodium picramate) or the terrible PPD, also known as para-phenylenediamine. Many countries, such as Canada, are conducting important campaigns to ban the sale of hair products containing this substance, but in Europe we are still a bit behind in this regard. Therefore, always keep an eye on the ingredients, in order to avoid terrible allergies or even worse consequences that, in the long run, can lead to tumor formations. Unfortunately, there are many herbalists in Italy distributing this loose natural dye, without giving final consumers the opportunity to read the label and ensure the absence of real poisons like picramate and PPD.
The main ingredient of this element created by nature for coloring, as we have already seen, is "lawsonia", which is a tannin. When this comes into contact with water and lemon, it reacts by activating its pigments. Henna, as the French call it, not only represents an alternative to chemical-based dyes that we can find on the market, but by virtue of its simple and beneficial composition, it proves to be the only dye that is good for one's hair. Allergic cases to henna are very rare, a dot in a sea of women who use a hair product that not only colors, but strengthens the entire scalp with satisfaction.
Here are the most important steps to make henna
Place 100 grams of powder in a container that will be used as a base to mix the various components. Add a little water slowly, avoiding the formation of too visible lumps, using a spoon. Do not overdo it with the amount of water, as the mixture should remain creamy and granular, but never too liquid or soggy.
Add 10 drops of lemon juice, which will help fix the color pigment directly on the hair. If the mixture is too fluid, it is recommended to add an egg yolk. Cover the container with a sheet of plastic wrap and let it rest overnight, for over 8 hours, before using it.
To wash or not to wash, that is the question!
Wash, wash, definitely wash. Don't listen to those who say otherwise. In fact, do it twice. A couple of passes with shampoo will be enough. An important tip to improve the final result of the dye is to avoid using conditioners in the bathroom and to use cold water to rinse your hair. The hair strands should remain open, so avoid using a hairdryer and always prefer a towel to dry the ends and lengths. Remember to place a towel around your neck before starting the coloring process. Henna dyes not only hair, but also shirts!!! So be careful to always wear old clothes and cover the floor with a newspaper carpet. Use shirts with the least possible neckline. Do not underestimate this aspect, it would be a shame to lose our favorite shirt during the hair dyeing phase. It is very difficult to avoid stains on clothes and that is why we must organize ourselves well to prevent this from happening. If it does happen, do not lose heart and take advantage of the great stain-removing power of bleach to clean shirts stained with henna. Wear latex or plastic gloves to avoid getting your hands dirty. Apply a thin layer of vaseline at the border between the skin and the hairline, so as to prevent the color from permanently depositing on the skin. Do not use a comb to apply pure henna, but use your hands directly, and once the entire head surface is covered, it would be advisable to wrap the head with a plastic bag, so that the mixture does not dry out and can work. Wait about an hour, an hour and a quarter. Take a small strand of hair and rinse it to check that the color is sufficiently deposited and does not wash out. Once you are sure that the dye has taken effect, you can proceed to rinse the entire hair under running water. However, do not use hot water, but only lukewarm water, in order to definitively close the hair cuticle and ensure a permanent color. Dry your hair with a hairdryer and comb it according to your personal preferences. And if you still see split ends now, say goodbye to them forever because with regular use of henna they will be just a bad memory of the past.
The sudden appearance of gray hair is generally attributed to a change in diet or high stress, although the hereditary factor remains very significant in this regard. Certainly, sooner or later gray hair appears on everyone and even if in some cases, such as George Clooney, they seem to enhance the person's appearance, in other cases they become an aesthetic problem followed by the need to mask them with an effective covering dye. Pure henna represents a healthy and natural possibility to solve this problem, especially compared to certain rubbish like the PDD contained in other coloring powders on the market. The advantages related to the use of henna have been widely discussed in previous paragraphs, but the restoring capacity of this natural dye towards split ends, the great shine it can give to the hair, the greater combability, and the possibility of deeply dyeing the roots are aspects too often underestimated by those who insist on buying chemical hair products, just because a famous model speaks well of them in an advertisement. We will therefore discover how, once we have learned to use it properly, henna will prove to be perfect for covering gray hair, managing to achieve the specific color shade of your hair. We can dye our gray locks with henna and indigo, but we must consider that the first application will not immediately achieve the desired result. The first time, in fact, the hair may lighten at most, but we must not lose heart and instead continue with further applications, which will serve to entirely dye the white areas on our scalp. Arm yourself with a bit of Indigo and...patience. Both Henna and Indigo must be of quality and we must have the patience to let the mixture work for at least 48 hours, in order to guarantee a greater and definitive grip. Take the right time, this afternoon you must dedicate entirely to yourself. Take a book, set aside some movies, but the dye must have time to act calmly and stress will certainly not help the henna to better release the pigment. To achieve brown tones without a dominance of red, it will be appropriate to combine the coloring paste with another herb: amla. Not everyone knows it and not all herbalists supply it, so it will be appropriate to turn to online spice shops or specialized stores in the sale of pure henna found on the internet. The henna mixture should be prepared the night before, also mixing lemon juice or vinegar, never with boiling water because it would affect the intensity of the color grip. Half an hour before applying the henna, we should make a mixture of indigo, water, and salt, then let it rest for half an hour. At this point, we should combine the pure henna with amla and sprinkle the white areas on the head. Let everything rest for 3 hours, during which, however, in case of particularly gray locks, we could give a touch-up for at least 30 minutes and ensure a greater covering strength from our product. We cannot apply henna to already blonde dyed hair and nor, once used, can we subsequently use another coloring dye. This is out of the question. However, we can use this natural dye on both light brown and dark brown hair, even previously dyed in this shade. In any case, apart from dyeing gray hair, the result will be surprising. Your hair will be shinier and if you suffer from particularly dry hair, we can solve the problem by adding coconut oil either before in the mixture or later, sprinkling it directly on the head and then washing it after half an hour with natural soap. Health threatened since the 70s And yes, because many of the prejudices that still accompany henna dyes are linked to the improper use of this dye by somewhat eccentric women who, instead of using this dye to cover their grayish hair, enjoyed surprising passersby with a bright red mane! To this is added the fact that, once they entered the market on a large scale, very little attention was given by the manufacturers to preserving the naturalness of the components.
This excellent dye helps to revitalize the roots, as well as the ends, and protects more generally the entire scalp. That's why many people use henna more as an antidote against dandruff and hair loss rather than as a natural dye. Because even if most people have never heard of it, pure henna has important antibacterial and antifungal properties. The authenticity of this hair product is confirmed by the fact that its molecules are compatible with keratin, allowing it to be used frequently without ever stressing our hair, but rather giving it more shine and brilliance. These data make henna the most effective natural dye compound, with practically no negative effects. Henna does not behave like a conventional dye, but proves to provide many more benefits to those who use it. Technically, it is misleading to claim that it "dyes", because it would be more accurate to use the verb "color" and think of a product that enhances reflections, with results appearing in all their beauty under sunlight. One of the most convincing aspects of this dye is its duration, with its effect visible for up to 4-5 months. It is important to clarify, without creating false illusions or expectations in women who want to try this hair product, that henna cannot properly lighten the hair, in the sense of "lowering the tone" of the color, but it is fabulous for darkening the hair gradually and brightening the appearance, adding magical highlights. It is particularly suitable for improving the condition of dry and damaged hair, creating a protective layer that defends the hair from environmental factors (especially UV rays) and sea salt. It nourishes and hydrates the scalp, through the action of proteins very similar to keratin.
Henna leaves have an orange color thanks to the molecule of lawsone, also known as hennotannic acid. Quality dyes maintain levels of lawsone of 1%, are completely powdery, and do not contain additional dyes or metallic salts. Body henna, on the other hand, is characterized by higher levels of lawsone, even up to 3%, and can be used to deeply color hair, especially in the case of light and extremely thin hair. There are various compounds on the market that are already divided by color: black henna, brown, blonde. Always pay attention to the label, as these dyes contain metallic salts, essential for reacting with existing colorations and bleaches. The right amount of henna that we will mix with lemon in our work bowl will allow the mixture to take on the consistency of yogurt. It is usually recommended to combine 150 grams of dye with half a liter of lemon juice. However, this quantity may vary depending on the quality of the paste. If lemon is too aggressive for your skin, you can always use less acidic and less aggressive juices, such as orange juice, vinegar, or even wine. The important thing is to maintain the acid's pH at around 5.5. To intensify the red color, you could add Aker fassi, which is poppy powder. Once the mixture is prepared, we should cover the bowl first and then let it rest for about 8-12 hours. It is better at room temperature, but to speed up the process, you could place the henna on a radiator, and in that case, a couple of hours would be more than enough. When applying it to the head, it is advisable to add a little lemon juice or water or a tea infusion until the coloring cream reaches the consistency of yogurt. Terpenoids, monoterpenic alcohols such as linalool, alpha-terpineol, and geraniol, will enhance the covering capacity of henna. You can then add essential oil (10-15 drops), contained in plants such as lavender, tea tree, geranium, or cypress, or, to a lesser extent, in others such as thyme, rosemary, juniper, orange flowers, and pine, which will also give a much more pleasant scent to the mixture ready to improve the appearance of our head. Covering capacity: dye and original color One of the problems, if they can be called that, raised by women who are used to dyeing their hair but have not yet converted to henna is this: "But with henna, I will never know exactly what color I will get!!". A more than justified consideration because the most genuine aspect of this natural dye is precisely in adapting to the original color and not in attacking and overpowering it completely, as many other dyes commercialized without too many scruples of conscience do. However, within this paragraph, we would like to leave some exemplary indications to better guide end-users and, why not, convince a few more women of the beauty of using henna instead of commercial chemical dyes. They have thus been compared, on the one hand, the hair as nature made them and, on the other hand, the strands on which henna was applied. In this way, it will be easier to understand what the final color will be, based on the color of your hair and the shade of henna you will use, whether it is black henna, red henna, neutral henna, or brown henna. We hope to do something very welcome, taking inspiration from an experiment we did some time ago.
Quinine henna would be a fortifying and revitalizing hair preparation, by its nature, also colorless, just like neutral henna. It is prepared with a base of Cassia or China (widely used as a component of strengthening shampoos) to which other herbs such as nettle, birch or thyme are added. This compound is highly recommended and is an effective treatment to strengthen the hair follicles, thicken the hair and prevent hair loss, due to genetic weakness or stress. This variant of henna is used in a completely specular way to Cassia, both for preparation and application. Indigo or Indigofera Tinctoria Indigo or, as it is usually called, black henna, is used to attenuate the red reflections of henna when used on brown hair with the intention of further darkening one's hair. Indigofera Tinctoria allows to achieve a blue color, if used to dye white hair and a shade tending to green if applied on golden hair. In this way, Indigo will constitute an excellent brown or dark brown base, ideal for obtaining the desired tone. It is prepared with boiling water, black tea or coffee, mixing everything until it reaches the right density. Extend the mixture with half a teaspoon of salt, in order to help fix the color. Wait for it to cool and then apply it on the head and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes depending on the intensity of reflections you want to achieve. Then rinse to remove any buildup or clumps. Walnut husk Junglans Regia, base of the famous walnut husk, represents another element that women around the world use to dye their hair brown tones. This component has a covering and coloring capacity lower than the other compounds described so far, but it is still worth mentioning, because it is 100% natural. Prepare a hair mask, using about 100 grams of this "nut bed" mixed with boiling water. To increase the dyeing capacity of the walnut-based compound, it is suggested to add coffee or a sage infusion. Mix everything and let it rest for an hour before applying it on your hair and then wash your head under water, but only after letting the dye work for at least 2-3 hours.
Celebrities: the most famous dyes
We have already talked about the ability to cover gray hair, emphasizing which colors are most effective on the scalp depending on the henna we use.
