The Benefits of Henna: Aesthetic, Well-Being, and Therapeutic
- Olivier Clamaron
- 21 oct.
- 7 min de lecture
Sharing of 21 october 2025
Henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a plant originating from India (Rajasthan), North Africa (Maghreb, Egypt, Sudan), and the Middle East (Yemen…), whose crushed leaves produce a natural coloring paste.
It has been renowned for over 5000 years for its aesthetic, well-being, and also therapeutic benefits, for hair, beard, and it is at the heart of traditions and rituals, as well as temporary tattoo practices for religious celebrations or weddings, in many countries.
1°) Aesthetic Benefits:
A°) Hair or Beard Dyeing
The green powder releases lawsone, which reacts with keratin, all the more vivid as the pH is slightly acidic (solution of water + sugared lemon). With oxidation in the air, the color evolves from yellow-orange or deep red, also depending on the varieties and origin of henna: the Rajasthan variety, richer in henna, is more intense copper-red, in Morocco (medium orange), and in Sudan (light orange).
Basic Preparation for Maximum Intensity
- Use pure and fresh henna (100% pure, ECOCERT certified): Choose organic powder, finely sifted.
Mix with warm water (50-100ml warm, 40-50°C) to activate the pigments without destroying them. The juice of one lemon to accentuate the colors, one teaspoon of sugar (which makes the mixture creamy) and one teaspoon of coconut oil to fix. See below.
- Maturation Time:
Let the paste rest 8-12h at room temperature (covered with plastic wrap). This releases more lawsone for a color 20-30% more intense.
- Dosage: 100g of henna for medium-length hair; 50g for beard.
Do a test first according to the effect you are looking for. Because, the lighter or whiter the hair, the closer the shade will be to a bright orange. And in this case, natural colorants will need to be added to darken the color.
-Other Choices of Natural Ingredients to Stimulate Color Intensity:
To add directly to the henna paste (proportions for 100g of henna). They fix the color longer (up to 4-6 weeks).
*Fresh Lemon (juice) -2-3 tbsp (tablespoons) Accentuates russet/dark brown tones- Press and mix into the paste. The acidity activates the pigments.
*Or Cider Vinegar -2 tbsp which also fixes the color especially on gray hairs -Replace 20% of the water with diluted vinegar.
*Strong Black Tea (cooled infusion) 200ml -to obtain darker tones (intense brown-equivalent of 3 bags, use as base liquid.
*Or Ground Coffee (infusion) -2 tbsp -Deep brown, covers whites -Boil 2 tbsp in 200ml water, filter and mix.
Tip: For beard, apply more concentrated (150g/100ml liquid) because the hairs are thicker.
-Natural Ingredients for Shiny Brilliance
These additions nourish the natural sebum and smooth the cuticle for mirror shine.
*Coconut Oil-2 tbsp. - For a silkier appearance, nourish the hairs, better hydration and better color fixation-Melt and incorporate into the final paste.
*Argan Oil-1 tbsp. - For long-lasting golden shine -Add before application- ideal for dry beard.
*Aloe Vera Gel, 3 tbsp. Natural smoothing. Mix fresh into the paste for a glossy finish.
*Brown Sugar: 1 tbsp. Immediate shine. Dissolve in the base liquid.
Tip: For hair, massage the paste 5 min; for beard, brush for penetration.
-Step-by-Step Application Method
1. Prepare the paste: Follow table above. Thick yogurt texture.
2. Apply: On clean/dry hair (sulfate-free shampoo 24h before). Wear gloves! Cover with plastic + cap for heat.
3. Application Time:
- Beard: 1-2h (intense without drying).
- Hair: 3-6h (night for max intensity).
4. Rinse: Warm water + cider vinegar (1 tbsp/L) – do not shampoo for 48h to fix.
5. Post-Application Booster (for +30% shine): Apply pure coconut oil 30 min, rinse with cold water.
Tips for Optimal Results
-Pale Color: Add lemon + application +2h. Repeat 2x/week first month.
-Lack of Shine: Add argan oil daily (natural serum).
-Uneven Beard: Brush with comb during application.
-Dry Hair: Add plain yogurt (2 tbsp) to paste.
Maintenance: Light henna mask every 3 weeks.
*Expected Results: Color visible in 24-48h (oxidizes). Max intensity in 3 days. Lasting shine 2-4 weeks. Test on small area first.
B°)Skin Dyeing Before Temporary Tattoo: for example on a hand, a foot, or an arm.
Preparation of the paste (25g of powder in 100ml warm water, with juice of 1 lemon, with one tablespoon of sugar), then left to rest minimum 1 hour.
Application Time: 4 to 8h, ideally overnight, before rinsing.
Avoid washing and sun for the next 24 hours. Apply coconut oil.
2°) Therapeutic Benefits
Lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) also has properties:
-antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal. Henna combats skin infections like acne, eczema, and mycoses. In vitro studies show inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2015).
- Antioxidant: It protects against oxidative stress and helps against skin aging. Rich in polyphenols, its activity is comparable to that of vitamin E (Food Chemistry, 2017).
- Henna promotes wound healing: It accelerates healing of burns and cuts. Used in Ayurvedic medicine, a clinical trial in Morocco (2018) demonstrated a 40% reduction in healing time.
- Relieves joint pain: It reduces inflammation in arthritis and rheumatism. Anti-inflammatory properties have been confirmed by animal studies (Phytotherapy Research, 2020).
- Acts for hair regulation: It treats dandruff and hair loss.
Henna oil inhibits Malassezia (dandruff fungus) according to Dermatologic Therapy (2019). It can be produced by macerating henna powder in coconut, argan or olive oil. It gives a coppery tint to hair and hairs (application and rinsing), strengthens them, softens and hydrates. The final color is visible after 24-48 hours.
Recent studies in English highlight potential applications for skin care, infections, inflammation, and even certain chronic and degenerative disorders.
Overall Therapeutic Potential: A comprehensive review on the pharmacological compounds and industrial/medicinal applications of henna, covering its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, from body art to anticancer properties.
Rohan Pradhan et al. Curr Drug Targets. 2012 Dec.
Anticancer and Chemopreventive Effects: Study on the impact of henna and its active molecule (lawsone) against skin cancer, via in vitro and in vivo models.
The study highlights 3 main mechanisms of lawsone and henna extracts:
Mechanism | Explanation | Experimental Evidence | Numerical Results
1. Induction of Apoptosis | Lawsone activates programmed cell death of cancer cells | Tests on A431 cell lines (skin cancer) | IC50 = 25 µM (dose inhibiting 50% of cells in 48h) |
2. Generation of ROS | Production of reactive oxygen species that damage tumor DNA | ROS Assay + Microscopy | +150% ROS vs healthy cells (non-toxic to normal cells) |
3. Inhibition of Proliferation | Blocks cell cycle in G2/M phase | Flow Cytometry Analysis | 72% inhibition of cell division |
Potential Therapeutic Applications
Type of Cancer | Galenic Form | Proven Efficacy | Research Phase
Skin Cancer | 5% Topical Cream | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (strong) | Preclinical + Phase I
Melanoma | 2% Lawsone Gel | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (good) | Preclinical
Colorectal Cancer | Oral Nanoparticles | ⭐⭐⭐ (promising) | Preclinical
Thanks to X's AI Grok for the information found. Link here.
Antimicrobial Efficacy: Research on henna extracts against bacteria responsible for skin infections, compared to antibiotics.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of Henna Extracts (PMC, 2012)
Pain Relief (Chronic Sciatica): Randomized clinical trial on a topical henna formulation to reduce pain intensity in patients.
The effect of a topical formulation from Lawsonia inermis L. (henna) on pain intensity in patients with chronic sciatica (ScienceDirect, 2023)
General Biological and Pharmacological Actions
Synthesis of antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory effects and more, based on in vitro and in vivo models.
The biological and pharmacologic actions of Lawsonia inermis L (ScienceDirect, 2023).
Effects on Cervicitis: Clinical trial on the use of a henna vaginal suppository combined with antibiotics to treat gynecological infections.
The effect of Henna (Lawsonia inermis) vaginal suppository combined with antibiotic therapy in the treatment of cervicitis (PMC, 2024).
Antifungal and Healing Properties: Study on the anti-yeast, antioxidant and healing effects of heat-treated henna extracts.
Anti-Yeasts, Antioxidant and Healing Properties of Henna Pre-Treated by Moist Heat (PMC, 2023).
3°) Well-Being Benefits
Henna promotes relaxation and body-mind harmony, through sensory rituals (earthy scent, manual application).
- Relaxation and Stress Reduction: The application acts as tactile meditation. An Indian study (2021) revealed a 25% drop in cortisol after a mehndi session (temporary tattoo originating from India, Pakistan, Middle East, and Morocco).
- Improved Self-Esteem: Natural dyeing for hair or covering gray hair boosts confidence. An aesthetic therapy shows that 70% of users feel more confident (Psychology of Aesthetics, 2018).
- Holistic Spa Care: Masks make skin soft and hair shiny. They increase hydration by 10% (Clinical Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022).
- Emotional Balance: Symbolic of protection and fertility in rituals, it improves mood via mindfulness practice (Journal of Positive Psychology, 2020).
4°) International Historical Traditions
- Ancient Egypt (3000 BC): Tattoos on mummies. Meaning: protection against evil and funeral ritual.
- India (2500 BC, Indus Valley): Mehndi for weddings (like Karva Chauth). Meaning: fertility and luck, with floral motifs.
- Arab World (Morocco, Yemen, 500 BC): Used in hammams and parties (Henna Party). Meaning: purification, with geometric motifs for weddings.
- Persia (Iran, Achaemenid era, 550 BC): Hair dyeing mentioned in the Shahnameh. Meaning: royal beauty, mourning or victory.
- North Africa (Senegal, Sudan, Middle Ages): Nomadic tattoos among Tuaregs. Meaning: tribal identity and spiritual protection.
- Turkey/Ottoman (16th century): In imperial hammams. Meaning: luxury, with calligraphic motifs.
- Southeast Asia (Indonesia, 13th century, Islamization): For Muslim weddings. Meaning: blessing, with floral-Islamic motifs.
Thank you
#beauty #aesthetic #care #wellbeing #health #tattoo #beard #hair #naturaldye #natural #naturalhealth #plant #naturopathy #prevention #henna #cancer #skincare #care #healing #plants #plantbased
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