Benefits of Henna for Hair

Henna has been used as a herb for centuries and has been an integral part of feminine beauty since time immemorial. Unfortunately, the modern-day utility of henna is restricted to using the herb for hair dyeing purposes.

The reason being that henna when mixed with water based products secretes a reddish brown color. However, henna has several other beneficial properties which makes it an excellent herb for managing hair.

Another point of advantage is that henna is inexpensive, and if not readily available in stores, people can grow the henna plant at home as this plant requires very little care and maintenance.

In case you do wish to use commercially available henna, make sure to check the label and find out if it has been approved by the FDA or not. Discussed here are various benefits of henna for hair and how to use it properly.

✤ Henna seeps into the hair follicles, and thereby strengthens the roots.

✤ This herb repairs the hair cuticles or the hard outer layer of the hair strand which protects the internal hair cells from damage. This helps heal the entire shaft of the hair strand individually.

✤ It restores the pH balance of hair and scalp that prevents hair roots from weakening and thinning off due to excessive hair fall. 

✤ It has its own antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties which is why it is excellent against dandruff and scalp dryness.

✤ Henna is a natural hair conditioner and it helps make the hair soft and well moisturized.

✤ It helps cover gray hair strands.

✤ People even use henna for hair growth.

✤ It prevents split ends from recurring.

✤ It helps repair damage caused from dehydration, pollution, blow drying, straightening and treatment as a result of chemical shampoos and hair products.

Ingredients Needed:

» 5 tablespoons of commercially available henna
» 3 tablespoons of yogurt
» One big lemon juice
» Hair oil
» 1 egg
» 1 cup of black tea

♠ In a bowl pour 5 tablespoons of dry henna powder. Now add 3 tablespoons of yogurt to the powder and beat the two thoroughly so as to make a thick paste.

♠ Now add the one cup of black tea to the paste and keep beating the concoction while you add the lemon juice to it, after which you should let the preparation remain intact and untouched for about 3 hours.

♠ Once you are ready to apply the paste onto your hair, add a whole egg into the paste and once gain beat the concoction until it's a bit wet and slippery.

♠ Add some more tea water if the concoction is too thick and is not falling off the spoon.

♠ The next thing to remember is that you will be required to wear plastic workshop gloves so as to protect your hands from catching the color of the henna while applying it to your hair.

♠ You will also need a thin dye brush with which you will need to apply the henna paste uniformly all over your hair.

♠ Before you apply the pack, remember to oil your hair thoroughly. This is a must because oil protects hair from absorbing too much of the color and conditions your hair making it faster for the hair follicles to absorb the nutrients from the henna. Leave your hair be for about ½ an hour after which you must start applying the henna paste.

♠ Now take a patch or chunk of hair at a time and apply ample amount of henna to the hair. Begin from the roots or scalp till the tip of the hair. Ensure that all the hair cuticles are thoroughly coated with this pack.

♠ Once you are finished coating all the sections, tie all the sections together so as to create a uniform hair bun.

♠ Now cover your hair with a shower cap as it's the easiest to wash and does not catch the reddish color of henna. Let the cap remain for 3-4 hours and wash off with warm water.

♠ Henna will prove a bit resilient and will require you to massage it clean from the scalp and hair strands. Use a mild shampoo after most of the henna has been washed off with water.

♠ Allow your hair to dry slightly, after washing it with shampoo, after which you should apply a very thin coat of oil all over your hair. This will prevent the hair from looking frizzy and will make the maintenance more manageable.

Allow your hair to dry in the sun or air dry. Do not blow dry it. You will notice how soft and shiny your hair become. Repeat this treatment every 3 weeks in order to achieve the beneficial changes. You will notice that your hair fall has reduced and that the quality of hair has improved substantially.