In an effort to go natural with our makeup and skin care products, we should not neglect our hair and scalp. What we put on our heads is just as important as what we put into our mouths and on our skin. This is where natural hair care products like henna can work her magic.

First, let’s demystify common beliefs about henna. Number one, henna comes in an array of colors. FALSE. Lawsonia inermis, more commonly known as red henna, is the ONLY true henna for the hair. Don’t be fooled by boxes claiming “black” or “blonde” henna because they don’t exist in the natural world without a chemical treatment to help change hair’s natural color and structure. As henna will bind with the hair shaft, it will intensify the natural color, not turn everyone into a redhead.

Number two, henna is not safe or is bad for my hair. FALSE. Since henna is a plant material; to be used only as a coloring agent,  it follows the import rules and regulations of the Food & Drug Administration’s guidelines as safe to use on hair. If you have used chemical treatments in the past, I would recommend giving your hair a month or two “breather” before starting a henna treatment.

Last but not least, practice does make perfect. Don’t give up if your first attempt with henna was a bit messy. Your skill will increase with each application.

Benefits of natural hair care products such as henna include thickening, conditioning and strengthening the hair shaft besides giving hair lustrous color. Added benefits of using henna is that henna contains anthraquinones, particularly chrysophanic acid, a remarkable anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. Henna has been used in East Asia, Africa and the Middle East as a treatment for itchy scalp, dandruff and head lice.

In an effort to go natural, consider using henna as a replacement or add to your list of natural hair care products. You’ll be a ‘head’ above!

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