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The Origins of Henna
Henna is a traditional art of embellishing the body with a paste made of ground leaves from a henna plant or also known as hawsonia inermis. The plant usually grows in warm climates and is found across several Indian Sub-continent, Far-Eastern, Middle Eastern and North African countries and has a range of names such as Henne, Al-Khanna, Al-henna, Jamaica Mignonette, Mehendi, Mendee, Egyptian Privet, and Smooth Lawsonia. Its leaves, flowers, and twigs are ground into a fine powder, and then mixed with hot water to form a paste. Assortments of shades are obtainable by mixing in the leaves of other plants, such as indigo. Tea, coffee, cloves, tamarind, lemon, sugar, and various oils can be used to enhance the colour and longevity of the applied design. Traditionally, Henna as an art-form may have originated in ancient India but it is understood that it was taken to India by the Moguls around the 12th century, several centuries after it arrived in the Middle East and North Africa. For the period of ancient times, the tradition of Henna is understood to have derived from North Africa and the Middle Eastern, and one of the earliest documentations of henna use comes from ancient Egypt, where prior to mummification it was used to stain the fingers and toes of the Pharaohs.
The art-form differs from worldwide, spanning different cultures and religious traditions, therefore making it possible to value dissimilarity in cultural style. There are three main traditions that can be recognised, aside from the more contemporary usage of henna in the appearance of a trendy temporary tattoo. Generally, Arabic Henna entails large, floral patterns on hands and feet, while Indian Henna uses fine line, lacy, floral and paisley patterns covering entire hands, forearms, feet and shins; whilst African Henna art is large, and bold with geometrically patterned angles. The African style usually uses black henna whereas Asian and Middle Eastern Henna is reddish brown. It is also a common custom in many countries to step into the paste, or simply apply it without creating a pattern in order to cool, protect or treat the skin.
It’s Easy! Henna Application
Ready-made Henna is readily available from most shops in most countries; you can also buy ready made stencils to help you apply it. Usually professional Henna artists are hired to apply Henna, but it can be great fun for the whole family if you do it yourself. Here is a step by step method of making and applying henna:
• Fill half a cup of natural ground henna powder. You can also add Tea, coffee, cloves; lemon and sugar to enhance the colours and give a deeper shade, which will stay on for much longer, but these are purely optional.
• Add it to a bowl that will not stain or, use an empty plastic container that has a lid - to help you store the Henna and not let it dry so soon.
• Add a small amount of boiling water to the bowl along with a few drops of Jasmine oil and mix until the paste it is similar in consistency as toothpaste.
• Replace the lid on the container and allow the paste to settle for about 2-3 hours
• You can use almost anything to apply the Henna, depending on the intricacy of your design, but the most commonly used are toothpicks.
• About 3 hours is a decent length of time for allowing the Henna paste to settle on your skin.
• You can also apply lemon juice with sugar to keep the paste on your skin for longer and not let it flake away.
• Once dried simply flake off the dried Henna, but do not wash the applied area for at least 12 hours.
Disclaimer: The Publisher has provided the above instructutions for information purposes only. They do not imply or express any reccomendations on the application of theproducts and accepts no liability for personal injury or financial loss thereof. For more information regarding out terms and conditions please contact us. |
