Henna / Mehendi Hair Pack (Hair color) – How to make and use organic hair pack (hair color)? Benefits and Side effects

This article explains how to make nourishing organic henna hair pack at home. It has different ways of making henna / mehendi hair pack. This hair pack can also act as organic hair color. Henna / mehendi hair pack has no harmful chemicals. It has good medicinal values too. This article also talks about the benefits and possible side effects of using henna / mehendi hair pack.

What is Henna / mehendi?

Henna also known as mehendi or hina or heena, is a evergreen flowering plant. Henna / mehendi is a very important part of Indian traditions, festivals and celebrations. Although its origin and its use is more associated with Indian culture, the origin of henna for beauty purposes was first done in Egypt. Growing up in India, we had huge henna fence surrounding our backyard. It was fragrant; it acted as a cheap yet beautiful fence that stopped strangers and strays from entering our yard; and it was home to many small lizards, birds, and even a chameleon. Back then it was common to have henna fence in Indian houses. People either make the paste of henna leaves directly or dry up the leaves and make henna powder out of it. Besides, henna powder is easily available in almost all the parts of the world. It is easily available in all the ethnic stores, Indian stores, and also online (eg. amazon). Now a days even some regular stores like Walmart and Target also carry henna powder.

What kind of Henna / Mehendi should one use?

Before you read this paragraph, I would like to make it clear that I am not affiliated with any of these brands neither am I collaborating with any of them. I am just making suggestions on the basis of my personal experience of using henna hair pack / hair color. 

You can find different kinds of henna in the market. There is 100 % pure henna which is the one I like to use. Then there is black henna which may contain some unlisted dyes to color your hair black. Personally I have never used black henna and I would not prefer it either. But it is a personal choice. This article will talk about using regular pure henna powder.

Henna powders that are good quality and that have worked for me are patanjali henna powder, nupur henna powder, and pure organic henna powder that we get in bulk from India. All these things are easily available in market. If you are using patanjali henna; it has mixture of amla powder, methi powder, neem, green tea, and many other ayurvedic organic components that boosts hair health.

Benefits of Henna / mehendi hair pack / color

• It has antifungal and antimicrobial values so it helps us improve and maintain good scalp health.
• It curbs hair fall and therefore increases hair growth.
• It strengthens and nourishes our hair.
• It provides cooling effect to your scalp.
• In some cases it also helps fighting dandruff.
• Henna also acts as a natural hair conditioner.
• Colors the gray hair.

Possible Side effects

Some of the side effects that I have experienced are as follows:

• It dries off your hair if not applied or used properly. 
• It makes your scalp itchy if your skin is sensitive to henna.
• You can smell henna on your head for at least a week after applying it.
• Some people might be allergic to henna too. So please do a small skin test before applying henna to your hair. You can apply a little bit of henna to your elbow and keep it for few hours and then wash it. If your skin is itchy or red or you see any side effects please do not use it.
• Best way to avoid the other (other than allergy) side effects is to apply henna on a small patch of your scalp first and see how it works for you. Most importantly make sure you are using good quality and 100 % pure henna powder.

How to make Henna Hair pack?

• In a iron bowl or glass bowl; take 100 % pure henna / mehendi powder or patanjali green henna powder (it is mixture of pure henna and mix of amla powder, methi powder, neem, green tea, and many other ayurvedic organic components that boosts hair health).
• For small or medium length hair take about 100 gms of henna powder.
• In a separate pan or a pot take about 2 – 3 glasses of water, add 2- 3 spoons black tea leaves (any indian tea for example wagh bakri or tajmahal), and add 3-4 cloves. Bring this to boil. And make good black tea. If you do not have tea leaves or powder, you can also make tea out of teabags. If you do not like tea, you can use black coffee too.
• Bring this tea or coffee to room temperature.

• Now start adding tea or coffee to henna powder drop by drop and mix it well until it becomes a thick paste.
• Do not keep henna hair pack too runny otherwise it will not stick to your hair.
• Keep this thick henna hair pack paste in iron pan or glass bowl over night or at least 6 – 12 hour.  Henna paste in the iron bowl or pan or glass bowl should be covered properly with a tight lid or a dish.

• Before applying henna to your hair add few drops of lemon juice or 2-3 spoons of yogurt (curd) or one egg to your henna paste. Stir the mixture really well.

• Your henna / mehendi hair pack is ready to apply on hair.

How to apply and wash off henna / mehendi hair pack?

• You need to have clean hair before applying henna. Wash your hair with mild shampoo and do not use conditioner.
• You can apply henna with hair coloring brush or directly with hands. I like to apply henna directly with hands. Do not forget to use gloves before applying henna otherwise your hands will be stained for days.
• Comb your hair and remove the tangles. Take small part of hair and start applying henna. Apply henna to your hair by dividing your hair into small sections.
• Once you are done applying henna to your hair, make a small bun of your hair. Cover your henna applied hair with shower cap or a plastic wrap. This will henna warm and moist. Also prevent early drying off henna before it colors your hair properly.
• Keep your henna on hair for at least 3 – 6 hours.
• Once you are ready, wash your hair with room temperature water.
• Be very gentle while removing henna. Do not use shampoo. Wash henna off with just water.
• Henna takes about 24 – 48 hours to develop more color.
• After washing, before your hair completely dries off, apply a good quality hair oil to your hair. This will help keep your hair from becoming frizzy and dry.
• After 24 – 48 hours, wash your hair with mild shampoo and conditioner of your choice.
• If your hair is gray, henna will give orange, red, brown, or maroon color to your gray hair.
• Color of henna on hair varies from person to person. It is not always the same. It also depends on the original color of your hair.

Click the link below to know how to make henna / mehendi cones for designs and Henna art

Henna / mehendi cone tutorial

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