The Art of Mehndi - Tutorial - Alternate uses for mehndi

What are some other uses for mehndi?

Many women use mehndi as hair dye; henna colors hair a very bright red. In Middle Eastern countries such as Yemen, people apply henna in a similar technique to the Indian/Muslim form, but as a full body paint. In this style, the mehndi runs all over a person's body, is less intricate than Indian mehndi, and is additionally considered complete in itself with henna applied, in contrast to the Indian style, in which the henna is removed to reveal stained skin. Also, Muslim men traditionally apply henna to their hair to make it a very bright red.

Mehndi, when used in any form, is considered very enriching and conditioning for the skin or the hair. If you have ever had mehndi applied, you may notice that the application has a very therapeutic effect upon the skin and creates a cooling sensation. Additionally, this cool feeling remains for the duration that the henna paste is upon the skin and is aided by the lemon-sugar solution. Mehndi has always been recognized as a wonderful hair conditioner.

According to the book Menhadi Rang Rachi by Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat, mehndi has been used in India especially for its cooling effect. It was mixed with water and drunk as a method of therapy, although I do NOT suggest that you do that with the mehndi that you purchase. It is not a safe thing to do so don't risk it. It was also used in packs to help sores.

For what occasions do people apply mehndi?

People apply mehndi in India during religious celebrations, like the Hindu New Year Diwale, as well as during weddings. At weddings in India, all the women gather at a mehndi party, 2 days before the wedding ceremony, to apply their mehndi -- so, not only is mehndi a beautification process, but it is a very social bonding experience as well. Bridal mehndi, which covers the hands up to the elbows and the feet up to the knees, can take at least 8 hours to complete -- and this time certainly does not include the time it takes to dry! While the bride is waiting, the women at the party spend the time singing songs and making jokes (in general) about the bride and her groom. Traditionally, in large cities only women apply mehndi, but at some very auspicious occasions young boys are permitted to wear it. In villages, both genders can wear mehndi. It can be said that Indian women liken mehndi to a form of makeup (in addition to face makeup). Mehndi has no true purpose in religion itself; it is meant to enhance beauty -- way back when, mehndi was used as a form of jewelry and intricate decoration at the marriage ceremony because actual jewelry was not worn, and traditionally the woman's body was to be completely cover.

Other rumors said about mehndi say that, the darker the bride's mehndi stain, the more her husband loves her. Also, within the bridal mehndi the husband's name is usually written, so he must find his name in her mehndi before the couple marries. Another rumored tradition is that for the length of time that the bride's mehndi stays after the wedding ceremony, she is not required to do any household work.

Some Indian women choose to wear mehndi daily if they are artists or have the time to apply it that often. Muslim women in villages paint their hands and feet red daily as well.

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