Many of you probably consider henna as a semi-permanent way to get a fancy tattoo on holiday and, although you’re not wrong, this herbal powder has also been used for hundreds of years to do many other impressive things too, especially for your hair.

During ancient times, for instance, the blend of henna and other herbs was used by Kings and Queens as a hair colourant. Henna is also recognised for stimulating hair growth, conditioning and even preventing dandruff and other scalp issues. This powerful powder is still somewhat underground and disregarded for modern challenges in favour of chemical-laden items. Nevertheless, with knowledge of this helpful herb, the more you’ll realise you need to invest in plant power!

You may have heard of henna also being referred to as “Mehandi” and it is most popularly used as a natural way to colour hair. It’s a great alternative for people who are allergic to chemical dyes, as it is the safest colourant around. This is because it is free of ammonia, chemicals and toxins. Another brilliant benefit is that it’ll even colour those stubborn grey hairs! All this with no reaction! And it gets better…

Not only is it the safest hair colourant around, but, as mentioned earlier, using henna could also stimulate hair growth. By supplying essential nutrients to the hair follicles, it naturally promotes enviably healthy locks.

Henna also works as a great conditioner for the hair, this is because it builds a protective layer around the strands, and this, in turn, locks in moisture. Through providing helpful proteins to the follicle, henna can also strengthen hair from the roots and be able to repair any damaged strands. With hair fed so well, gloriously shiny and radiant hair is an undoubted consequence. As well as this, the clever combination of nutrients henna provides and the protective external layer it creates around the strands can also increase hair volume. The protective layer formed around the hair also keeps the hair shielded from the sun and dust.

Lastly, once the henna has worked its way through colouring your hair, repairing any damage and protecting it from environmental stressors, it gets to work on your scalp health. Henna helps to restore the scalp’s acid-alkaline balance, which in turn helps prevent conditions such as dandruff and itchy scalp. As a bonus, it can also help treat scalp infections.

So, it’s pretty clear that henna is a wonder herb. Now, you want to know how to get the magic started, right? Well, I have laid out some nice henna remedies for you. See below for a henna mix that’ll suit your hair fix.

Henna and Herb Friends Hair Treatments

1) For colour that’s gloriously glossy: Use Henna, Amla, Shikai, Tulasi and Bring raj powders and bind with egg white and lemon juice for sleek and shiny strands.

2) Grey hair be gone!: Blend Henna, coffee powder, beetroot juice, tea liquor, lemon juice and egg white to banish those pesky greys.

3) Hair growth stimulation: Henna mixed with Gingelly sesame oil will provide such nourishment; it’ll even prevent hair fall, the effects of pollution and white hair.

4) Volume boost: Henna, fenugreek seeds and mustard oil blend for flat hair that needs a shakeup. It also helps make a nice mask for dry hair too.

5) Dandruff and Scalp Itching remedy: Henna mixed with fenugreek seeds, lemon and curd will help see to that flaky scalp. And for any serious scalp issues, such as psoriasis, then mix henna with olive oil, egg white and water (for mixing).

These ingredients can be found in a local supermarket and, for anything for obscure, see Spices of India. They even have some pre-made henna packs! But always remember that for the best results you have to start from the inside. So keep a balanced diet for optimum health. However, if that’s not enough, then let henna give you a helping hand.