There is no plant dearer to Allah than henna, and some Muslim girls are named after it. As soft and delicate as the word sounds, the plant grows in clusters of small, intensely fragrant white flowers. A perfume is made from henna flowers and is sweet and strong smelling.
The scientific name for henna is 'lawsonia inermis' (Latin). Henna has a variety of names given by each and every culture of people that have come by it. Indians name it 'mehndi' as well as henna. Arabs name it 'hinna' (the n is pronounced twice).
Henna grows in hot countries and has been for centuries. Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh) used henna for healing purposes as it had cooling properties. He also dyed his hair and beard with it. His wife and daughters used it on occasions such as Eid and weddings.
Women stay up for hours into the night applying henna to each others hands then waiting for it to dry. Some fall asleep and wake up the next morning to see that the henna has flaked off the hand leaving the colour stained on the skin.
Henna designs started off as a central dot in the palm of the hand and the end of the fingers were covered too. Then smaller dots were placed around the centre dot and then they became as articulate and intricate as the imagination grew.
Designs vary from culture to culture - from birds and plants, to vines and flowers, to paisleys, hearts and peacocks. The designs are unlimited, although Muslims are not allowed drawings of animals or people.
Traditionally the henna leaves were crushed with a little water between a stone slab and a stone rolling pin - this method is still used by the villagers who grow their own henna plant as I have seen in Bangladesh.
These days you can use a blender. Even better is that henna is picked, processed and comes in a variety of forms such as powder. You mix it with water to your desired consistency, place in the corner of a strong bag and pierce the end to allow the henna to flow as you squeeze. There is also ready-made paste packed in a squeezable tube.
The dyeing property is called tannins and is a natural chemical, which produces a red stain. The stain of henna is usually influenced by the body temperature and will be between orange and the darkest of red. The longer you leave it on the darker the colour becomes and the longer it will last on your hands or wherever you may want to apply it.
After the henna has dried you must not wash it off. Pick at it, then rub a small amount of mustard oil over the decoration.
There is a product called black henna which is not natural. A black dye is added to the henna to intensify the colour. Henna has become fashionable in western countries and called henna tattoos. The word tattoo comes from a Tahitian word 'tattau' that means to mark something - so henna tattoo means to mark something with henna - a safe and natural alternative to permanent tattoos.
Modern South Asians are interested in tattoos - black henna is the nearest they can get to the real thing. But who's to say that you cannot have green, blue and purple henna. Always use henna dyes and tattoos at your own discretion - in some cases dyes can be harmful!
© Jamila Hussain - 2004
News - henna tattoo allergy link
your comments
Makhdomah- Newport
Hey, does anyone know who could teach me how to do henna as im very keen in this topic. All the courses are in london and i can't travel so far, so newport or cardiff would be closest to me?
Farah Khan
I love henna and have been an artist for two years. It's the most relaxing work in the world when you have one or two people, but at weddings I get exhausted and drained. i try and stick to just doing the bride :)
cinnie, pembroke
Riffat!!! jamila did say that black henna is not natural, but let me say that I have seen black henna in shops.
Cheri Brumit in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
I just used a black ink pen to do some designs in the palm of my hand after seeing a picture in April's Readers Digest. I've always been interested in it but it was the first time I could see a design close enough and long enough to get an idea of how to do it. I don't know how good black ink is for you but it looks really good! Where can I find symbols and their meanings?
Heidi and Carli, Newport
We are looking to hire a henna artist for a Mystic Evening at Club Shout in Newport. Email newport@clubshout.co.uk
Dips
This lady did my cousins henna for her wedding, she's amazing. You can check her site out at www.hennaspirit.com
S Bibi from Birmingham
I would like to know if it is halaal to apply henna to the feet. I have seen many Muslim sisters who do have henna on their feet, on the other hand I have heard from many sisters that it is haraam because the Prophet (pbuh) used henna on his beard. Also I would like to know if applying hair dye such as Bigen, in Aurburn or mahogany colour is safe to put on nails because the colour comes out much more quicker. Also is it allowed in Islam?
Marisa B from Moorhead
The first time I tried henna "tattoos" they didn't turn out exactly as I had planned, but it wasn't a catastrophy. I have, however, had fabulous results with using it to dye hair. I can't say I'm familiar with this PPD, but I am aware of "black henna". All of which that I've been introduced to was not in fact henna, but indigo. I'm glad I've yet to run into chemically altered versions.
Sham
I myself do professional henna designing. I find it to be a relaxing hobby. I totally agree with Riffat's comments and can second that they are very true.
Hawa Abdi
I'm really interested in henna designs. I usually get it done on special occasions like Eid, Ramadan and weddings. My mother is very good at it. I see a lot of women who wear the black dye - I must admit it looks good but the side effects are harsh. It's better to be safe than sorry - be natural.
Ayan Muhamed
I started using henna when I was small and it got me hooked for life. Now I'm a professional henna designer!!!
Callum Clayton
The Henna Tatoo left me with a terrible red mark where the Henna had been.
Riffat
Jamilla nice article but I would like to add that there's no such thing as 'Black henna' or even blue or purple as you said at the end of your article. In most cases what is passed off as black henna contains no natural henna at all but is in fact black hair dye which contains PPD, a very harmful and dangerous chemical which can lead to burns and scars. It can be passed into the blood and get into interal organs where it can cause damage especialy on young children. REAL henna will give you beautiful shades of burnt umber to bugundy wine and has been used for thousands of years without harm. Please do NOT use anything but natural henna on your skin. You can read more about this on my site www.riffat.co.uk
Farhana Ali - Swansea
Henna is a natural gift for women to beautify themselves and men to dye their beards and hair. It is made from a natural plant. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as black henna. Henna only comes in one natural form, which is orange-brown. It is sad to see people giving henna a bad name by useing chemical (PPD) on the skin and calling it henna. I am a henna artist in South Wales, and have tattooed more than 3000 people since I started in 1998. I have never had a problem as I make my own henna using natural ingredients. I am currently running courses in henna design, and all aspects of henna is taught from making the henna to bridal and things to avoid (black henna). I had an interview with the BBC Radio Wales, and I felt it was important to let people know about the fake henna that is scaring many people today. For further info you can contact me on www.farhana.co.uk The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Jayne Roberts, North Wales
The best thing I found about a henna tattoo was that after it had faded, i had pale skin underneath, the non-tattooed area having been tanned from the sun!
so it lasted about 6 weeks in one form or another!
Muryam Nazir from Dewsbury
i love henna and i wear it especially on celebrations like weddings and eid and i think it is great fun. all the girls get together and put it on each other and we all learn new designs. henna is quick and easy to use and can dry very quickly. it's just great!
Gitanjali Gordon
Hi!
I used to be a proffessional Henna artist in india.it's very common in india to do it for women .i am not too sure if i could do it in the UK too , do i need a certain kind of Licence to do it here?
Ree, Cardiff
I actually always thought that henna was a Hindi tradition - despite being a Muslim girl. I think some of the designs are amazing and the skill to apply it is incredible.
Stef from America
I recently got a henna tatoo and I love it! The other day I went out and bought a kit and I plan to create some of my own work.
Amanda Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, USA
I've gotten henna once before and I loved it. Now I'm looking up more information on the meanings of the different design so I could have it done again.
Karishma from Peterborough
Hi, I'm Karishma but u can call me kk. When I got Henna done I loved it - I got it done over and over again. It tickles but it's wicked!!!!!!
Lisa Griffiths from Cardiff
I have never used henna but I would like to try as I think it looks really nice.
Shelley Harris from Newport
These designs are quite original, glad to see it. I bought a kit recently and I wanted indian based designs, and these look easy to do. well I hope so!!!!!!
Shania Hassan from Birmingham
I love pictures of peacocks - I've looked at many designs but the one on top seems as if there's a story to it. It looks very majestic but simple. I think I'll try on my hands, thanks.
Sadia (Her niece) London
These designs are really nice but some of them are really ugly they could do with some changes.The first two are ugly to me but I don't know about other people.I think she did a great job.Most of them are brilliant.
Rachael Knight from Abergavenny
I have been a henna artist for three years now, and I love it! Its a great hobby and i make money painting henna at craft fairs and other events! what most people dont realise is that back henna is very dangerous and that it takes a good strong henna to last more than 2 weeks. I have just purchased a new kit from America and it is amazing I've never had such good results, its not the usual orange stain but a very dark almost black colour.
Hannah Spen Valley Sports College
These are very nice and authentic. I think they should be done or demonstrated in more public places.
Imogen from Wolverhampton
I had a henna tattoo whilst on holiday and, as Alice Manister said, I thought that it was expensive for how small it was and even left a white mark where I'd been tanned around it. The cheek of it! Wouldn't mind another one though as they are an easier answer to a real tattoo.
Dan Resse - Dinas Powys
I had a henna Tattoo kit one christmas. I haven't used it yet but I keep promising the people at work that I will bring it in and make a day out of it.
Alice Manister from Bath
Yes I tried a henna tattoo - it was very expensive and looked nice for about three days then it wore away. I was told that if you use Vaseline it will stay for up to three weeks so I did just that and it didn't work. I was very disappointed about this.
Adam Yosef from Birmingham
I've always been aware of henna but the way Jamila describes it above is just beautiful. Everything from its religious connection (Islamic view in this case), the natural properties to scientific bits and helpful hints are all there. It really makes henna come across for what it is - a timeless application that enhances the skin using creative beauty and does wonders for a person's health. I enjoyed the piece and look forward to reading Jamila's other articles. Thank you BBC South East Wales. :)
Parveen
I'm doing an advanced course in henna painting and am looking for new modern designs.
