Popularly called Mehendi, the henna plant is extensively cultivated in India, with its leaves being used quite often by women, as a natural hair dye, as well as for decorative body art, particularly on hands and feet.
But did you know that henna, besides its popular usage for adding a dash of colour to hair, or embellishing the arms with pretty designs on festive occasions, offers numerous benefits for hair health, aside from overall wellbeing?
Yes, henna, scientifically termed Lawsonia inermis, is an evergreen shrub, that is considered a highly important medicinal herb in the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda.
Apart from henna leaves, which are loaded with valuable plant chemicals, the other parts of the plant, namely the flowers, seeds, roots and bark also impart myriad wellness incentives. Henna flowers yield essential oils, while the root, bark and seed extracts provide useful sedative and deodorant properties.
Henna leaves are usually dried, crushed and used as powders at home, or sold commercially. These leaves are blessed with ample nutrients that work in synergy to enrich hair growth and health. The antioxidants like tannins, catechins, flavonoids, essential fatty acids and vitamin E confer several beneficial traits for hair health.
Read on, to discover the amazing benefits of henna-based products, so you can flaunt long, strong and radiant locks of hair.
5 Marvellous Advantages Of Adding Henna-Based Products To Your Hair Care Regime:
Promotes Hair Growth
Henna is loaded with powerful phytochemicals including tannins and phenolics. These help to stimulate follicle growth, arrest frequent episodes of hair fall and maintain a healthy mane.
Lathering an even layer of shampoo infused with henna extracts and washing hair twice or thrice a week immensely improves hair growth and thickness.
Regulates Oil Secretions
The scalp naturally secretes oil in the sebaceous glands and in some instances of harsh external environmental or other internal health issues, excess oiliness presents on the head, causing constant itching and loss of hair.
Using a henna-based conditioner on the scalp after thoroughly washing the hair helps to balance oil production on the scalp, thus enriching hair texture.
Combats Dandruff
Bestowed with antifungal traits, henna is a brilliant natural solution for treating dandruff and other microbial disorders occurring on the scalp.
Simply massage hair and scalp with henna powder paste mixed with a few drops of lemongrass oil once or twice a week. This simple home remedy instantly removes dandruff, eliminating irritation and flaking of the scalp. Also Read: Lemongrass: Unbelievable Advantages Of Adding This Magical Ingredient To Your Skin And Hair Care Regime
Repairs Hair Damage
Henna comprises a wealth of hair-fortifying elements, including proteins, antioxidants and vitamin E, which vastly augment hair health.
Using henna-based shampoos and conditioners to cleanse the hair and scalp regularly, helps to rectify split ends, dryness and promote the growth of long, thick tresses.
Prevents Premature Greying
Henna being an organic herbal ingredient, intrinsically contains a reddish-brown colouring compound and is hence a wonderful dyeing agent for covering up greying and ageing hair.
Applying a paste of henna powder with green tea extracts imparts a natural dark colour to hair, besides enhancing the growth of long, strong and healthy hair. Also Read: 3 DIY Henna Masks For A Healthy Scalp And Gorgeous Mane
