Bridal Henna

Bridal henna is very critical henna design. In the Middle East and India, the bride is judged by her henna. Depending on the wealth of the family, they are willing to travel a long distance to get a good henna artist. In some of the cultures, the wedding lasts for a week. In the Middle East there is one day of the wedding called the day of the henna. They will prepare the brides skin a month in advance with oils and honey for that day. The bride will enter a room with the henna artist only with one or two female relatives. They want the henna artist to focus with no distraction. The henna artist will draw henna on the bride’s arms, legs, chest, and upper back. Some cultures draw henna around the stomach and lower back. When the artist is done with the bride, she will then draw henna on the female family members of the bride. She will draw simple designs, so that she doesn’t take away the attention from the bride’s henna. The henna drawing happens in the morning, so by the afternoon more women will come and celebrate all night. The bride will leave the henna until the next morning and wash it off.                                   

Different Colors of Henna

There is only one color of a henna stain, which is the red-orange color. Many people like to use different colors of henna. The most commonly used than the other colors is black henna. You will find it at any Indian, Middle Eastern, or online stores. They also have blue, red, purple, green, and yellow henna. Beware; these products are full of unknown chemicals. If you do your research you will find that people having permanent scars on where the henna was applied. Some people mix indigo powder in the henna to have a black stain for your skin or hair. Indigo powder is safer to use but only lasts a few days. When you buy henna, you can tell by the color. Natural henna powder is green. If the henna powder is red or black, there are other ingredients mixed in it. There is also glitter henna. This is usually used in henna parties. Women will apply the glitter henna on the regular henna designs just for decoration. The glitter will not stain on your skin therefor it is safe. Make sure when you are buying henna to read the ingredients, and test it on your skin.

Henna for Medicinal Purposes

Henna has medicinal purposes. It helps reduce the swelling of a sprain, and cools down rashes and burns. For sprains, all you need is a cup of henna, half a cup salt, half cup of fresh grated turmeric, and water. You mix the henna with the ingredients until it is a yogurt texture, and let it sit for at least five hours. Smear the henna mix around the sprain until the area is fully covered. Wrap a cloth around the area, and leave it on until the henna is dry. If you have any cuts, then you might not want to put any salt because it will burn. When you take off the cloth, you should notice that the swelling has reduced. Henna is also good for rashes and burns. It is known to have a cooling system. For burns and rashes, mix the henna with water and raw honey. When you apply the henna you should fell it soothing the irritation.