Fundoo Times
Know what henna is, uses and facts related to mehandi, traditional uses of Mehandi and Mehandi as dye and its drawbacks.

What Is Henna

Mehandi, the art of applying henna, has been an age-old tradition and is enormously popular in many countries like India, South Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Henna, when applied on the body, generally on the hands, feet and hair, leaves a reddish brown stain that lasts for a week, at least. In some Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, it is customary for women to adorn their palms and feet in elaborate mehandi designs/patterns during weddings and other auspicious occasions. While it is very common for the bride to put on mehandi, in some parts of the subcontinent even the groom applies it. Traditionally, henna was primarily used for medical purposes but it is now prominently used in beauty treatments. Many beauty icons have attested to this fact that mehandi is a major ingredient for their beautiful hair and skin. It's believed that even the gorgeous Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, relied on henna to keep her hair glowing and luxurious. Nowadays, henna is also widely used to create body art and tattoos and, as it is not permanent like tattoo ink, it has become quite popular.
  • To apply mehandi, the henna leaves are first dried and then ground into a fine paste.  This paste is then applied on the skin and left to dry, and then washed off, which leaves a reddish brown stain. The henna powder can also be bought commercially.
  • In the Indian subcontinent, in Hindu and Muslim weddings, it is customary for the bride to deck up with mehandi. It is believed that the darker the color of the henna is the deeper will be the love and goodwill between the husband and wife.
  • Not just in India, henna is increasingly used in western countries too, considering its cooling effects and multiple uses. In Indian weddings, special mehendi ceremonies held that are considered to be very sacred. Some of the auspicious mehendi wedding designs are lotus, peacock, shehnai, an elephant with raised trunk, kalash with mango leaves wrapped around it and so on.  
  • The use of henna can be traced back to 2100 BC, to the Babylonian and Sumerian civilizations, where it was widely used as a dye. Even the royalty of the Mughal Era used henna to decorate their body. Early ayurvedic texts document henna as a potent medicine for curing a number of skin and hair ailments.
  • Henna also has numerous other properties, which act as a preservative for cloth and leather. And not just that, the aromatic flowers of henna are also used in making perfumes.
  • As for the medicinal benefits of henna, people suffering from skin disorders can use this magical plant as an excellent herbal remedy. During the summer, henna is specifically used to beat the heat and reduce heat swelling. Besides, it is also used to treat an array of diseases like smallpox, muscle contraction, cancer of the colon, leprosy, headaches and blood loss during childbirth.
  • Henna also represents good luck and prosperity. In Morocco, the doors of newly built houses are painted with henna to ward off any kind of evil. In India, henna is considered to be a symbol of fertility hence it is auspicious to put on mehandi during weddings. Sometimes, the foreheads of animals like milk cows, bulls, and horses are adorned with henna for their protection. Thus, as you can see, henna has a lot more other uses than just for mehandi.
  • You can go to any beauty store and pick out your favorite henna product that range from oils, paste, body art, tattoos to mehandi stencils, etc. So, people who desire to be endowed with luscious shiny hair and clear skin free from blemishes can depend on mehendi.
Body Art With Henna
Body art, be it tattooing or mehendi, is fast turning into a style statement and catching the attention of fashionistas. Body art with henna is especially a rage in themed parties as, because of its temporary nature, people can flaunt designs based on the theme, and also have an option to change their designs

Tips On Using Henna For Hair
The ever increasing pollution, dust and stress levels at work place leave our hair looking so drab and lifeless. Besides, clear skin and perfect body, hair is also one of the most important aspects of our body that should be given our utmost care and attention.

Mehendi As A Tradition
Mehendi, the art of applying henna on the skin, is one of the most beautiful ways to adorn your body with beautiful patterns and elaborate designs. During weddings, the bride is adorned with exotic patterns and designs and in eastern cultures it forms an integral part of the marriage

Henna Patterns And Techniques
The eye-catching henna designs, besides being exotic to look at, can be easily created on any part of our body. The best part, however, is that these patterns are temporary and hence, can be changed from time to time. Traditionally, henna was exclusively used in wedding and celebrations

History Of Mehendi
Henna body art, the art of painting the skin with wonderful henna paste in attractive designs, is the latest fashion fad among the gen X, though it is a centuries old tradition and it is increasingly being followed even by westerners. Henna tattoos and body art is quite exotic by western standards but in eastern

Mehendi Art In The West
Mehendi, the art of painting henna designs on the skin, is not just popular in Asian countries but has also found a new fan base in western countries too. Using henna tattoos to adorn various parts of body have caught the attention of the younger generation and has become one of the most favored fashion statements.

Mehendi Application Procedures
Mehendi, an age old art, has always been an integral part of functions, wedding ceremonies and religious events. Nowadays, it has become one of the best ways to adorn oneself and look alluring. Today, not just in India but even in western

Tips For Making Henna Paste
Henna, the wonderful plant with multiple uses, has found many takers and has aided many people in various ways. Today, a wide range of henna tools and products are available in the market, with which one can easily make striking patterns and designs. Besides skin decoration, henna is also