First off, I want to emphasize that I use only all natural products in my henna paste. Never is there any chemical dye or harmful substance in my paste. I am also a health care provider and consider it my duty to protect the public health by sharing helpful information and only using what is safe in my henna body art. I have made it my business to learn well about this very thing.
So, what IS in henna paste? This is a very reasonable question and one I am glad you are interested in! Ask any henna artist how they mix their henna and you will likely get many differing answers. Being that henna has been a tradition in a number of regions and cultures, there are a lot of “traditional” ways to mix henna, as well as some more modern approaches that are commonly used.
The basic breakdown is usually henna leaf powder, a liquid, an essential oil(s) and some form of sugar.
My general recipe is;
- henna powder
- tea and/or lemon juice
- cajeput essential oil (a cousin of tea tree oil)
- sometimes I include cardamom essential oil (if I have it)
- baker’s sugar or molasses
- sometimes, I include a little rose or orange flower water (it just smells so yummy!)
That’s it! Sometimes the essential oils may vary a little but not by much. If you ever have any concerns about any ingredients, I invite you to ask me. In all my years of doing henna, I have yet to see anyone have an allergic response to henna itself. There are the rare occasions when someone is sensitive to citrus or to the essential oils, so if you are worried about these sensitivities, ask me for a “dot test” so we can determine how you will respond. I just place a small dot of henna on your inner wrist and leave it there for 10 mins. If you have any sensitivity to the ingredients, we will know by then. I am happy to offer a dot test as I would rather you feel safe and secure about receiving henna, so please, do not hesitate to ask!
I believe that you have a right to know what is being placed on your skin so I urge you to never accept the answer of ”oh, my henna ingredients are a secret” from any henna artist. There are many wonderful and safe henna artist out there but sadly, there are a few that offer henna that includes a dangerous chemical. I want you to know and enjoy the safe beauty of natural henna. So, please take care of yourselves and ask your henna artist about their paste. She will most likely be glad you are asking!
