Here's an ugly truth. Almost everyone across the globe is falling prey to artificial hair colours. These hair colours have become quintessential because of premature greying of hair and the hair colours in vogue. Even teenagers are influenced, and they succumb to artificial hair colours available, off the shelf.
These hair colours can contain several harmful chemicals that pose health hazards. These include P-phenylenediamine (PPD), ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, resorcinol, parabens and heavy metals like lead. These chemicals can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and/or even more serious health conditions like cancer, with long-term or extensive usage.
Our grannies never used artificial hair colours because they were aware of potency of their kitchen to combat all hair issues. One such ingredient is henna which, in yesterday years, was grown extensively to make fences in houses so it was readily available.
In Ayurveda, henna (lawsonia inermis) is valued for its cooling, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it a versatile herb for both hair and skin. It's used to balance pitta dosha, reduce inflammation and promote healthy hair growth. Henna also has applications in various skin conditions.
It is not a widely known fact that henna can also provide various shades of hair colour, when mixed with various ingredients to acquire the desired shade.
Some shades that can be easily procured, are as follows:
Golden colour:
- Henna
- Casia powder (1 teaspoon)
- Chamomile tea (cooled, not hot)
- A few drops of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Mix all in a glass vessel. Keep aside for a few minutes. Apply and let it stay for one hour or so. Wash with normal temperature water.
Reddish colour:
- Henna
- Hibiscus powder (1 or 2 teaspoons)
- Pomegranate juice
- Tea strained water
Mix in a glass vessel. Keep aside for a few hours before application. Apply & let it stay for two-three hours. Wash with normal temperature water.
Brown colour:
- Henna
- Coffee powder (1 teaspoon)
- Clove powder (just a pinch)
- 1 teaspoon curd/coconut oil
Mix all in glass vessel. Apply and let it stay for three-four hours. Wash with normal temperature water.
Burgundy colour:
- Henna
- Beetroot juice
- Hibiscus powder (2 teaspoons)
Mix all in glass vessel. Apply & let it stay for three-four hours. Wash with normal temperature water.
Black colour:
- Henna
- 1 teaspoon mustard oil
Mix in an iron vessel in lukewarm water. Keep aside overnight. In morning before application, add indigo powder (double the quantity of henna or little more depending on grey hair)
Apply and let it stay for two-two and a half hours. Wash with normal temperature water.
In all applications take henna quantity as per the length of hair. Make a thick paste of the mixtures as per the desired colour. Apply meticulously from roots till the end of hair, with the help of a brush.
Get a crowning glory from very own kitchen, without any harmful ingredients laced with hazardous chemicals.
