Are you avoiding western medicines because of its many side-effects? Do you want to go herbal but not quite sure what this plant or flower is for? Then read on! You may be surprised about the many henna uses. In this article, we are not going to explore all the miracles given to us by dear mother nature. But we are going to focus on the henna plant as a herbal treatment.
I’ve always found the henna plant to be interesting. What certainly piques my interest about this plant is its capability to become art. Specifically, temporary tattoos. But this got me wondering. Is this all what the henna plant can do? I’ve always found plants to be helpful and full of miracles and wonder. So, it got me thinking, what are the many henna uses other than being the main ingredient of temporary tattoo?
Since henna is a plant, it must also have some botanical powers. Right? Well, I’ll tell you, my friend, there are many henna uses. Not only is the henna plant used for temporary body art, but its uses range from being a cooling factor to aiding jaundice and dysentery. I’ve personally tried some of these many henna uses (for my migraine and as a hair treatment). So far, I have not experienced any side-effects whatsoever. Talk about being a miracle plant!
So here are some of the many henna uses that I love to share!
Cooling factor
In its origin, henna was not intended to become a main ingredient for body art. In fact, henna originally was a cooling agent. Thus, one of the many henna uses is its cooling factor.
However, when I speak of henna as a personal air-conditioning thingy, I do not mean that you use the leaves of the henna plant to fan yourself from the humid air. Not that it’s not a good idea. But there’s got to be a much simpler way than fanning yourself with leaves. So how is henna used as a cooling factor?
The people living in the warm regions became aware of one of the many henna uses. These people, due to their warm and arid climate, began dipping their soles and palms in the paste made by crushed henna leaves. You may wonder and ask: if the plant can be used to produce a cooling sensation to fend off the hot, humid weather, do you have to remain dipping your soles and palms in the henna paste?
Conveniently, these people noticed that the cooling effect stayed even after they scraped off the pastes. As long as there was color (of the henna paste, that is), the cooling element remained. It only took one creative and innovative individual to realize that these plants didn’t only produce the cooling effect. Henna could also be a form of art! A substance that could be used to make tattoo ink (or paste).
Thus, arose the most common of many henna uses: temporary body art!
Body Art
Henna as body art, as mentioned, is the most popular use of henna today. After being used as a cooling agent, women had a light-bulb moment. They realized they could create beautiful designs using the henna paste or ink. This idea simply came about after some time of dipping their soles and palms on the crushed leaves.
So they got more creative. They started of by creating dot-like patterns and eventually making more intricate and complex designs.
It was only a matter of time that the application of henna expanded, not only serving as a cooling agent. Thus, evolved into another one of many henna uses. Henna became a crucial element in the world of skin art; temporary art, that is.
Henna as body art is already known to be an integral part in certain traditions. That is why some of these cultures place significance on the temporary body art. There are meanings behind every single one of these henna tattoos.
Let’s take India for example. Historical evidence as it relates to the plant being used for body art, among many henna uses, dates back as early as the 4th century. During that time, the Indians already knew about the cooling effects produced by the plant.
They would wrap their hands and feet to create the cooling sensation. But after some time, they discovered they could create beautiful, intricate patterns on their skin using the henna paste or ink.
In time, the wider recognition of the plant as a substance for body art, among many henna uses, grew. The intricacy of the tattoo designs, albeit temporary, also improved and became more complex. Eventually the Indians created patterns, which signified various meanings.
Creating Your Own Henna Tattoo Design
On the subject of body art, allow me to take a slight detour here from our main topic, which is on the many henna uses. I want to share a couple of ideas. Did you know it doesn’t really take a da Vinci or a Picasso to create your own henna tattoo design? Simply dig into your creativity and imagination. Grab on to what you feel like having on your skin. Follow your gut as you come up with your personalized henna tattoo.
Don’t have the manual dexterity to draw your own henna tattoo design on the skin? Here’s a simple technique that I usually do. Have you played connect-the-dots? It’s actually like that. Simply start by making an imaginary outline of what you want to draw. On that outline, strategically place dots. Think of them as markers. These points will guide you in completing your skin art drawing.
When you have completed making all the dots you need, you can start tracing and connect them. You may not get it perfect the first time. But believe me, you will get better with practice.
It’s interesting that most men prefer the tribal henna tattoo designs. Compared to women who usually go for the flowery stuff. Children, on the other hand, choose cartoon characters. Teens, however, have varied preferences.
Another usual favorite is the animal henna tattoo design. When it comes to body art, animals are virtually synonymous with dogs and cats. Pets too. In fact, kids and teens want their pets designed on their skin. Birds, giraffes, lions, fish, and bears are also fan favorites.
Hair Treatment
With the 2 mentioned above, you might wonder. Are those the only things that henna is good for? After all, I mentioned many henna uses. Apparently there are more. And surprisingly, it’s for beauty.
I only learned about this one just a few years ago. Just out of curiosity (and perhaps boredom too), I searched for other many henna uses on Google. Most of the search results point to body art. There’s even more information on the traditional application of henna as body art in ancient cultures. But guess what I discovered. Among the many henna uses, this find is a pleasant discovery (because I tried it a couple of times and it worked well for me).
Did you know you can use henna as a hair treatment? Talk about going natural and organic with your hair products. With this discovery, I tried using henna as my shampoo and/or conditioner for a couple of days. As a result, the volume of my hair improved. It also became noticeably shinier and silkier. My hair has never been so alive.
And can you believe it, there’s more to that? Henna can also fight dandruff. Of course, you can also use it to dye your hair.
Of all the many henna uses, this one is definitely a pleasant surprise. I wouldn’t have known henna would make a wonderful hair treatment if I didn’t looked on the internet.
Baldness
In the above-mentioned use, we mentioned henna as a shampoo and conditioner to get shiny, silky hair. Also, to fight against dandruff. But did you know the plant can also be used to fix hair damage and hair fall?
One of the many henna uses can benefit our friends who are gradually losing their hair. Yes, baldness. Yes, henna is good for repairing damaged hair and restore its strength and vigor. Henna can also be used to complement other products that prevent hair fall.
Along with maintaining your silky, shiny, and long hair, the henna plant also gives volume to the shaft of your hair strands. The henna can improve the texture of your hair, making it look beautiful and strong. I can attest to this. I tried it a couple of times and loved how it gave me the results I wanted. Truly unexpected.
So that’s about preventing massive hair loss. But what if one is already bald? Can henna help with complete hair loss? Is this one of the many henna uses?
Another surprising discovery! Here’s how I was able to help my friend’s husband. She relayed to me how her husband was slowly losing all of his hair. The top part of his head is already smooth and without hair. On the sides, however, there’s still some that remains.
So my friend and I looked on the internet for natural or herbal remedies to help with the hair loss. Guess what we found? Henna! It’s quite a revelation that one of the many henna uses is to help with hair growth.
On the website, the instructions were to boil the leaves of the henna plant in mustard oil. Let the concoction cool down and store it in a container. You can use the brew to put on the scalp. Gently massage the head during its application. Through regular use, this will help produce plenty of hair.
Headaches
Of the many henna uses, this one is very familiar to me. I’ve tried using henna for this many, many times. Which is why I seldom use medication for this particular condition.
Have you experienced having a very tiring day that led to headaches? On my part, I juggle work and home duties. So it’s pretty stressful, even during mornings when I need to get my kids ready for school.
With stress, headaches are pretty much common for me. But whenever I have a headache now, I don’t reach for Advil, Tylenol, etc. Well, before, I did that. But not anymore.
I read that these over-the-counter drugs tend to sit at the bottom of your stomach and eventually create stomach problems. Whether it’s true or not, I’d rather stick with natural and herbal remedies. Which made me rethink my medication choices.
Thus, I resorted to avoiding these over-the-counter drugs. But how do I get rid of headaches? Yes, you guessed it. Henna plant.
It’s worthy to mention there are numerous herbal medicines that aim to cure headaches without leaving any stomach problems. Personally I don’t necessarily use that natural product right away. I do my research first and have a few friends try it out.
But with henna, I guess it just feels right. I personally used the flowers of henna. The studies were right. The flowers of henna are a perfect remedy for headaches.
To apply, simply dip the henna flowers in vinegar and place it on your forehead and/or temples. A few minutes later, you’ll notice some improvement and relief. Not sure about the exact science behind it. But my headaches gradually faded away. My theory is that henna acts as a cooling agent, which gives soothing relief.
So next time you get a headache, try this simple solution. It may be unusual and uncommon, but this one is definitely one of the many henna uses that has proven to be effective.
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Do you want to know more about the many henna uses? Check out our next articles about what this amazing plant can do.
Or if you want to get henna tattoo designs at your next event. our henna tattoo artists will come to your party and create these beautiful works of body art. Contact us at (970) 377-0093 (or email us at teamrjevents@gmail.com). Our talented artists will create fun, intricate designs for you. We serve the areas of Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor, and nearby areas in Colorado.