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Frequently Asked Questions

We get asked questions about henna and henna related items all the time. So we thought we'd put the most common questions, and their answers up on the site to make it easier for everyone. We hope this helps with any questions or concerns you might have.

Oh, and if you don't see your question here, you can ask us about henna using our contact form.

Q: What is Henna or Mehendhi?

Henna is a powder derived from the Lawsonia Inermis plant. The plant only grows in very hot climates, such as Africa, India, and Pakistan. The leaves of the plant are picked, dried, and then crushed to produce the green powder known as henna or mehendhi. There are several different spellings and pronunciations depending on which region or culture you are from, such as, "mehendhi", "mehndi", "mendhi", "henna".

Q: What gives Henna it's staining capabilities?

Henna's characteristic staining properties stem from the compound 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, also known as lawsone, hennotannic acid, or natural orange 6. Henna leaves contain up to 5% by weight of the compound, which, in its purest form, is a yellow-orange powder that does not dissolve in water.

Q: Why do some parts of the body take henna better than others?

The dye in henna infuses skin, hair, and porous surfaces but does not permanently or chemically alter them. The 'strength' of the stain is affected by numerous factors including skin type, temperature, hormone levels, and stress. After the dried paste is removed from skin, the stain will darken over the next 48-72 hours. The dye stains the outermost layer of the skin and will initially appear as light/dark orange and darken to a red brown. Henna appears darkest on hands and feet because they have thicker skin than other parts of the body.

Q: Where does Henna come from?

It has proven difficult for scholars to ascertain the true origins of henna. Noone really knows how many centuries, even millenia, henna has been used to adorn our bodies. The earliest proof of henna being used on humans is found in the tombs of Egypt, and on both men and women. However, judging by folklore and written word, it is possible that Henna existed for centuries before that in other countries such as India and Pakistan. Unfortunately, because the dead were cremated or buried, it is hard to find proof like we can with the mummified remains in Egypt.

Q: What is the traditional use for Henna?

Mehendhi or henna, is most frequently used during auspicious occasions or celebrations. During wedding ceremonies, Henna is used to decorate the hands and feet of the bride (and a little on the groom for good luck). During the "Ghodh Barahi", Henna is used to decorate the hands, feet, and belly of an expecting mother. In all cases, henna is used to mark a signifigant celebration – an engagement, birthday, overcoming cancer, etc.

Q: Why is henna so important for weddings?

Henna represents the love and happiness of a marriage. Henna has also come to be associated with the sexual initiation into womanhood for the virgin bride, fertility, and to celebrate the union of husband and wife. In fact, an Indian woman will wear henna at auspicious occasions for the rest of her life, or until she becomes a widow. Henna is so entwined with the happiness, love and sexuality of marriage, that it is included in the Kama Sutra as one of the sixty-four arts of seduction for women.

Q: How did henna gain so much importance with love and marriage?

Parvati, a Hindu goddess, would decorate herself with henna in order to please her husband, Lord Shiva, and win his favour. Shiva was a notoriously difficult husband to please, and Parvati become his bride, it earned mehendhi the reputation as an irresistible sensual allure: the guarantor of marital success and bliss. Henna is also worn by women to please the gods and protect herself and her family from any misfortune. Henna has now become part of the brides “Shingar” – her makeup - on her wedding day.

Q: Which old traditions, relating to henna, are still used in the marriage ceremonies today?

There are several traditions which have held on to this day, the original reasons may not be applicable, but the end result or desire is the same as it was back them. Some examples:

Q: What is a Belly Blessing?

Henna is used during the “Ghodh Barahi” ceremony, which is performed when an expectant mother reaches the seventh month of her pregnancy. The ceremony is used to celebrate the fact that the baby can now be born, having reached the last trimester, without any drastic complications. In some cultures, the mother-to-be has her hands and feet adorned with mehendhi like a bride. In other cultures, it is painted directly onto the pregnant belly. She receives jewellery, clothes, money, for herself and the baby – so in Western terms, it would be similar to the baby shower with a religious ceremony.

Q: What makes Henna or Mehendhi last so long?

There are several key rules to ensuring henna comes out dark and lasts for a long time. In our opinion, the most important, is that the artist uses quality ingredients in their mixture. The henna powder needs to be free from impurities and as fresh as possible. We order our fresh henna, on a regular basis, direct from a supplier in the East. We always ensure that our henna, especially for bridal mehendhi, is no more than 6 months old. When you pick up a tube of henna in store, you have no way of knowing when it was mixed, let alone when the original henna was picked. That henna could be upwards of 2-3 years old when you apply it.

Q: Do different designs have special meanings?

Some of our designs are purely for fun, but some designs do carry a special significance. Did you know that the humble dragonfly is a symbol of overcoming cancer? Here are some examples of design elements used in traditional henna and their original/current meanings:

Q: Why has Mehendhi slowly become more of a cultural phenomenon rather than a religious one?

Over the years, mehendhi has transitioned into the world of fashion. Henna is no longer used only for ceremonies, and Bollywood and Hollywood have a lot to do with that change. Mainstream artists and celebrities, including Madonna, and Naomi Campbell, have helped make henna an acceptable form of body art. Finally, the increased mixing of cultures, especially in North America, has helped give mehendhi exposure to other cultures.

Q: Is Henna dangerous? Are there any side effects?

Natural Henna, the ONLY recipe we use, is 100% safe on the skin and bloodstream. But, to be sure, you should check our recipe to make sure you are not allergic to ANY of the ingredients that we use. The main safety concern is “Black Henna”, or any henna which has been 'enhanced' using chemicals.

Q: What's the difference between Black Henna and Natural Henna?

Henna is a green powder and smells very earthy (like wet tree bark). Henna powder is created by crushing the dried leaves of a henna plant. Natural henna stains the skin a light orange to a dark mahogany brown and will last anything from one to four weeks. Natural henna will not stain your skin black.

Black henna has to be chemically altered to leave a black stain on your skin. Unethical artists and manufacturers may add chemicals such as PPD (para-phenylenediamine) to get that deep black colour people are demanding. PPD is a potentially harmful chemical and is usually found in hair dyes. Hair dye packages insist that the dye only be left on the scalp for 20-30 minutes, anything longer can be harmful to your hair and or scalp.

Possible side effects, especially in children and those with allergies and sensitive skin, may include itchy skin, rashes, blisters, and nausea. In some cases, more extreme side effects may include permanent scarring, asthma attacks, and skin cancer (if the chemicals enter the bloodstream).

Just recently, we were shown a bottle of henna purchased from a store shelf in Ottawa. The ingredients listed an item we hadn't seen before called "Terpinol", but everything else seemed to be fine. We googled the ingredient, and found that terpinol is a derivative of Turpentine. As you may or may not know, Turpentine is an industrial-strength paint thinner. And it is definitely not safe for your body, in fact, it is highly poisonous.

We suggest that you always ask your henna artist about the ingredients in their paste, and if you are in any doubt or have any concerns, don’t get the tattoo.

Link to Google Images search for "black henna"

Health Canada Website: Advisories on Black Henna

Q: What's in your all natural henna paste?

Our all natural paste includes the following ingredients:

Q: I know Henna can be used as a hair dye, is that different from the henna that you use?

The henna used in the hair dye products is an older or stale version of the henna. The henna has lost most of it's staining potency so it will only slightly dye the hair. If our fresh henna was used to dye hair, it would result in a powerful stain, possible turning the hair a bright orange colour

Q: What are some other uses for henna?

Henna is most commonly used for temporary tattoos and hair dye, but can also be used for medicial purposes including treatment for; dandruff, ringworm and head lice. Henna also acts as a sunscreen and a cooling agent in hot weather. Henna can also be used for reducing a fever.

Q: How long does Henna Paste last?

It takes 8-12 hours to activate the dye once it has been mixed. Unfortunately, once it has been released, the paste has to be used within seven days. You can stop the 'countdown' by freezing the henna in the freezer for up to 18 months. Thereafter, it will loose the 'strength' of its staining properties.

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