Medicinal Uses

Along with being a beautiful cultural practice, there is evidence that henna has demonstrable, real world uses that can benefit the body. Traditionally henna has been used as a poultice to sooth burns and skin conditions like eczema, as well as a coagulant used to stop bleeding and bandage wounds. Henna is also believed to have some anti-fungal properties and has been used to treat conditions like ringworm and athlete’s foot for centuries.

Along with these uses, henna is a great treatment for cracked nails. The regular use of henna paint in the hair helps to maintain the natural pH levels of the scalp. This can lead to decreased occurrences of dandruff and flaky skin, while also giving hair added strength and a natural shine.

Some have even purported that the bark of the real henna tree is effective in treating conditions like jaundice, although extensive scientific research on this has yet to be completed.

If you’re looking to use henna for reasons other than cosmetic, it’s best to consult a dermatologist or medical professional to make sure it’s useful for you.

Dangers of Imitation Henna (Black Henna Tattoo)

A recent development in the world of henna is the use of different chemicals to achieve a similar effect as henna. This practice comes with great risk of a bad reaction for the wearer. Known as “black henna” or “kali mehndi”, this substance is adulterated with a variety of toxic chemicals that cause an immediate dangerous skin reaction or create problems over time.

The most dangerous black henna chemicals is a transdermal toxin known as PPD (p-paraphenylenediamine). Black henna is a dye used for the creation dark tones, however this chemical is illegal for use on the skin in the USA and other countries thanks to its association with blood and bladder cancers and harm to neo-natal pregnancies in addition to the usual short or medium term skin reaction or allergic reaction.