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If you like using henna at home, you should know that you can make your henna blend even healthier for your help. Lemon juice and tea or coffee help achieve a more vibrant and darker colour. Yoghurt buttermilk and coconut milk provide deep conditioning and hydration, preventing dryness.
Ingredients like amla powder strengthen and nourishes hair, promoting growth and preventing premature greying. Beetroot juice enhances the red tones of henna, adding vibrancy to the colour. Let’s break down some ingredients you should be adding to your henna water.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is one of the most common ingredients added to henna water. Its acidic nature helps release the dye from henna, making the color more vibrant and longer-lasting. The citric acid in lemon juice breaks down the plant cells in the henna powder, allowing the dye molecules to be more easily released.
Adding lemon juice to your henna paste not only enhances the dye's color but also helps the paste adhere better to the skin or hair. Additionally, lemon juice acts as a natural astringent, which can tighten the skin and reduce oiliness when applied to the scalp. To use, squeeze fresh lemon juice and mix it with henna powder to form a paste. Allow the mixture to sit for a few hours to let the dye release process begin before applying.
Tea or Coffee
Tea and coffee are excellent for darkening the henna color. The tannins in tea and coffee interact with the henna to produce a richer, more intense shade. These beverages are particularly useful if you prefer a darker brown or blackish tint rather than the typical reddish-brown henna color.
By using tea or coffee in your henna mix, you can achieve a deeper, more intense hue. Additionally, these ingredients add shine and softness to the hair and provide a subtle natural fragrance to the henna paste. To use, brew a strong cup of tea or coffee and let it cool. Use this liquid instead of plain water to mix with the henna powder and allow the paste to sit for a few hours for optimal dye release.
Yogurt or Buttermilk
Yoghurt and buttermilk are rich in lactic acid, which can help condition and moisturize the hair. Adding these dairy products to your henna mix can prevent the hair from becoming too dry, a common side effect of henna treatments. These ingredients provide deep conditioning and hydration, help manage frizz, and make hair more manageable.
To use, mix a few tablespoons of plain yoghurt or buttermilk with henna powder to form a paste. Apply the paste to your hair and scalp, leaving it on for a few hours before rinsing. This addition ensures your hair remains soft and nourished after the henna treatment.
Amla
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a powerhouse of nutrients and is widely used in Ayurvedic practices for hair health. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which promote hair growth, reduce hair fall, and prevent premature greying. Adding amla to your henna mix strengthens hair roots, enhances the natural color of henna, and conditions and nourishes the hair.
To use, mix amla powder with henna powder in equal parts and add water to form a paste. Alternatively, you can soak dried amla pieces in water overnight and use this infused water to mix with henna powder. This ensures your hair receives the maximum benefits of amla along with henna.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is an excellent natural moisturizer and is packed with nutrients that benefit hair health. Adding coconut milk to your henna mix can help mitigate the drying effects of henna, leaving your hair soft, shiny, and deeply conditioned. Coconut milk provides intense hydration, enhances the conditioning properties of henna, and helps reduce hair breakage and split ends.
To use, substitute coconut milk for the liquid base when mixing henna powder. Ensure the paste is smooth and apply it to your hair, leaving it on for a few hours before rinsing. This addition will keep your hair nourished and hydrated during and after the henna treatment.
Beetroot Juice
Beetroot juice is a natural way to enhance the red tones of henna. It contains betanin, which gives beetroot its rich red color. When mixed with henna, beetroot juice can produce a beautiful, vibrant red hue, especially noticeable in the sunlight. This ingredient intensifies the red tones of henna, adds shine and vibrancy to the hair, and provides natural antioxidants that benefit hair health.
To use, extract fresh beetroot juice by blending and straining the pulp. Use the beetroot juice as a liquid to mix with henna powder, forming a paste. Allow the paste to sit for a few hours to let the dye release before applying it to your hair or skin. This addition will give your henna a striking and vibrant red colour.
