| Henna |
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Henna\'s use has been dated as far back in history as 2100 BC. Henna has many positive attributes that has contributed to it\'s longevity of use and its growing popularity today. Henna is used for many different purposes in many different ways.
Today, Henna tattoos are on the rise in popularity. Henna stains the skin, so instead of getting their more permanent brethren, many people choose to get henna tattoos. In this process, the is applied to the skin, and the stain can last up to several months, but is not permanent like regular tattoos. It is applied more like paint, and does not require needles.
Henna also has some healing properties. It has anti-fungal and anti microbial applications. It has also been found to soothe, moisturize and protect the skin, as well as increase circulation. It combats skin irritation and is a sedative. It is available as a paste or thin dye, or may be in powdered form. It has been claimed to be beneficial for the hair as well, and is an ingredient in some shampoos.
Henna has long been celebrated for it\'s various positive effects on the human body and as such has been an important part of many cultures. It is sometimes ceremonially used to decorate a bride, or is used to celebrate any joyous occasion. Pharaoh\'s fingers were dipped into henna prior to their mummification. It has been a significant part of many modern and ancient rituals and celebrations.
Henna is extracted from a sub-tropical flowering shrub. It is technically illegal to import it into the United States, except for use as a hair dye. The FDA has not approved it for direct application to the skin, and any henna being imported can be ceased if it suspected it\'s intent is for body art, although prosecution and conviction is extremely rare.
Some individuals can have adverse reactions to henna being applied to their skin. These reactions may be mild, such as itching, or more severe like shortness of breath or tightening in the chest. Most natural henna will not have an adverse reactions present in the individual. However sometimes it is possible to have a reaction to the solutions they use to activate or increase the potency of natural henna (Most of these mixtures are lemon juice or an essential oil).
Do not be fooled by so called “black henna” that claims to leave a much darker, black stain on the skin. This is not henna; it is a chemical that can cause severe complication to anyone who comes into contact with “black henna”. After coming into contact with “black henna” severe itching or blistering can occur, eventually leaving the victim with obvious scarring and a life long sensitivity to the chemical para-phenylenediamine. Coming into contact with this chemical ever again, for a person\'s entire life can have fatal consequences. Since this is an ingredient in many hair dyes, if you have ever had “black henna” contact and your skin has been irritated, you must be careful with what hair dyes you use in the future. While the hair dyes that contain this chemical are supposed to be rinsed quickly away, and strictly not allowed to touch the scalp, henna artists apply it directly to the skin and let it sit for up to half an hour. If you have a henna tattoo done that takes less than thirty minutes to stain the skin black or very dark, it is probably para-phenylenedine, and not henna at all. Henna should stain the skin a reddish brown and take a long time achieve a heavy stain on the skin.
Henna\'s properties for hair and skin anti irritants have led to it\'s more widespread use today, although primarily as an ingredient in hair products, and not application of henna itself. Since it contains so many medicinal applications, henna should be around for a long time, even if it is not always used as a skin dye or temporary tattooing agent. |
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