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The powdered leaves of the Lawsonia Inermis plant. |
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The powder mixed with a few natural ingredients to make mendhi paste. |
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The design is applied with a handmade cone filled with mendhi/henna paste. |
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Mendhi isn’t Black
Real mendhi or henna always stains a dark brown, burgundy, red brown or orange colour. Real henna is never black. Black henna is an unnatural dye caused by a chemical additive called Para-phenylenediamine (PPD). This chemical can cause blisters, sores and other more serious reactions. At MendhiRani we use only 100% natural henna with no chemical dyes. To learn more about the dangers of black henna visit The Henna Page |
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This is what can happen if you use black henna with PPD.
Picture courtesy of Catherine Cartwright-Jones |
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Unless otherwise noted all text and images on this website are the property of the owner Shelley Quatrale — MendhiRani.com. Copyright 2006 to 2008. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission of the owner. |
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Mendhi information |
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What is Mendhi?
Mendhi (Hindi) or henna (English) is a tropical plant derivative when applied to the skin leaves behind an orange to burgundy stain which can last for several weeks. The powder from the dried and crushed leaves of the ‘Lawsonia Inermis’ plant is mixed with water, sugar, lemon juice, essential oils and other natural ingredients to produce a deep green to brown paste which is applied to the body. The mendhi should remain in place until it is completely dry and falls off. This takes anywhere from 1 hr. to overnight. To achieve a darker stain a mixture of lemon juice and sugar is applied to the mendhi. Then the area can be wrapped and left on overnight. The area should not be washed for at least 12 to 24 hrs. to give the colour a chance to deepen. The colour will take up to 48 hrs. to develop and reach its potential. (See our photo gallery for examples.) There are numerous recipes for the paste and each individual henna artist has his or her favourite recipe. Henna can also be applied to the hair as a natural dye. Here at MendhiRani we import only premium quality henna powders.
The history of Mendhi
The tradition of applying mendhi goes back thousands of years to religious and bridal rituals in India, Africa and the Middle East. Mendhi is of great significance in Hindu weddings. Traditional belief is that the darker the stain and the longer it remains on the bride’s hands and feet the deeper the grooms love for her. Some even believe that the more intense the stain, signifies the deep love the bride’s mother-in-law will have for her, therefore treating her kindly. According to more recent traditions the grooms name will be hidden in the design of the bride’s hands. The wedding night cannot commence until he finds it.
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The Colour fades with time, the art is timeless.
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