Health tip # 55

Henna (Mehendi)

Henna has been used traditionally to treat hair and scalp problems. Apart from coloring hair, henna has been used as a medicinal plant over the centuries because of its many health benefits.

Henna is said to be originated in Asia and popularly known as Mehendi in India. It is also said that since 700 AD Mehendi was carried regularly to India from Egypt for decorating hands and feet. Many traditional henna designs are secret symbols of prosperity, love, loyalty, fertility and good luck Here are some healthy benefits of Henna herb:

• Hair health: Henna leaves helps seal the hair cuticle, preventing breaking, and increasing the shine and appearance of the hair. It is also said that Henna herb can cure dandruff issues. By maintaining pH balance in our body it helps in preventing premature hair fall.

• Cools the body: Henna is considered to be an cooling agent. It can reduce the body’s temperature and also helps during heat exhaustion.

• Good for skin: Henna paste can be beneficial in treating rashes and dark circles thus preventing from directly from heat. It is also said to improve skin elasticity to prevent premature wrinkles and reduce the signs of aging.

• Healthy Nails: There is a reason our ancestor always had this applied to their nails. The space under the nails are prime locations for infection and bacterial presence. Applying Mehendi helps in preventing cracking of nails.

• Headache remedy: Applying Henna paste directly to the temples can reduce headache and promote healthy blood flow in the capillaries that will eventually stop headache and tension.

• Prevents Dandruff: Using henna regularly on your hair cures dandruff and prevents it from coming back.

• Best home remedy for Fever: Henna leaves have the ability to suck up the heat and help reducing the high temperature caused by fever. This is one of the reason our ancestors kept these leaves in their home for centuries.

Cautions:

As always everything has a limit and everything has its side effects. Henna leaves can affect sensitive skin causing redness and itching in adults. Henna is considered unsafe for use in children, especially in infants. There have been cases of serious side effects when henna was applied to the skin of infants.