Paying the Prize for Beauty
The picture you see here has been going viral in Facebook for the past few weeks.
The story as appeared with the photograph was of a girl about to get married, applied Black Henna on her hands and got infected severely, and the doctors were trying to save her life by amputating the infected hands (which may not be true...). However, by looking at those blistered hands, it seems that the girl has paid a heavy prize for beautifying her hands with Black Henna.
What is Black Henna...?
Pure, natural henna paste when applied on hands and feet gets oxidized and gives a deep mahogany red stain on the skin where ever it is applied. This stain lasts for about two weeks and then starts to fade. The natural henna does not have any side effects.
To get a thicker stain which lasts longer than the natural henna, a toxic chemical known as ParaPhenylenediamine (shortly called as PPD) is added to the henna paste. The resulting stain on the skin is almost black.
The toxicity of ParaPhenylenediamine as mentioned in the "International Chemical Safety Card" by "National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health" are as under:
EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance is irritating to the eyes . Inhalation of dust may cause asthmatic reactions. Swelling of mouth and throat may be observed following ingestion. The substance may cause effects on the blood , resulting in formation of methaemoglobin. Exposure may result in death.
EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause asthma. The substance may have effects on the kidneys , resulting in kidney impairment.
Many young girls and married ladies are very eager to apply Mehendi on their hands and feet. Even men use black henna to dye their hair. But most of the store-bought Mehendi cones are adulterated with PPD
So, what to do...? Choose your Mehendi cones with caution. Check to make sure that they are not mixed with PPD. Also, buy only those cones which contain the manufacturer's label and address mentioning that it contains only natural products. Otherwise, make your own Henna paste.
I have already published an Instructable named "Indian Mehendi Art: Decorating your hands with Natural home made Henna paste", which you can access here.
However, after seeing that picture above, I felt it necessary to post details of making natural henna paste at home once again here.
This is not to destroy the livelihood of so many Mehendi artists out there, but to educate everybody about the ill effects of Black Henna.
The story as appeared with the photograph was of a girl about to get married, applied Black Henna on her hands and got infected severely, and the doctors were trying to save her life by amputating the infected hands (which may not be true...). However, by looking at those blistered hands, it seems that the girl has paid a heavy prize for beautifying her hands with Black Henna.
What is Black Henna...?
Pure, natural henna paste when applied on hands and feet gets oxidized and gives a deep mahogany red stain on the skin where ever it is applied. This stain lasts for about two weeks and then starts to fade. The natural henna does not have any side effects.
To get a thicker stain which lasts longer than the natural henna, a toxic chemical known as ParaPhenylenediamine (shortly called as PPD) is added to the henna paste. The resulting stain on the skin is almost black.
The toxicity of ParaPhenylenediamine as mentioned in the "International Chemical Safety Card" by "National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health" are as under:
EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance is irritating to the eyes . Inhalation of dust may cause asthmatic reactions. Swelling of mouth and throat may be observed following ingestion. The substance may cause effects on the blood , resulting in formation of methaemoglobin. Exposure may result in death.
EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM OR REPEATED EXPOSURE:
Repeated or prolonged contact may cause skin sensitization. Repeated or prolonged inhalation exposure may cause asthma. The substance may have effects on the kidneys , resulting in kidney impairment.
Many young girls and married ladies are very eager to apply Mehendi on their hands and feet. Even men use black henna to dye their hair. But most of the store-bought Mehendi cones are adulterated with PPD
So, what to do...? Choose your Mehendi cones with caution. Check to make sure that they are not mixed with PPD. Also, buy only those cones which contain the manufacturer's label and address mentioning that it contains only natural products. Otherwise, make your own Henna paste.
I have already published an Instructable named "Indian Mehendi Art: Decorating your hands with Natural home made Henna paste", which you can access here.
However, after seeing that picture above, I felt it necessary to post details of making natural henna paste at home once again here.
This is not to destroy the livelihood of so many Mehendi artists out there, but to educate everybody about the ill effects of Black Henna.
The Henna Tree : Lawsonia Inermis
The Henna tree (Botanical Name : Lawsonia inermis) is a small multi-branched tree. The leaves grow opposite to each other on the stems and have depressed veins on the upper surface. The tree flowers in bunches which are very fragrant. The henna tree can be propagated by cuttings or from seeds. You can grow it in a very limited space also.
The henna tree you see here is growing in our back yard. Our children use the natural henna leaves only for making the mehendi paste.
Collect the Leaves
To make the mehendi paste, collect the fresh leaves from the henna tree
Add Few Drops of Lemon Juice
Wash the henna leaves and place them in a mixer / grinder. You can add a few drops of lemon juice, which will help in enhancing the color
Make Paste
Using the mixer / grinder, make a paste of henna leaves. Your mehendi / henna paste is ready for applying on your hand
Make Cone
The mehendi paste can be very easily applied to the required design on the hands by using a cone made with non-absorbent paper. make the cone and fill with mehendi paste
Apply on Your Hands
Using the mehendi cone, apply on your hands to the design of your choice
Leave It Overnight
Leave the henna paste on your hands overnight. You can wash the dried out henna paste in the morning. The outcome may not be as dark and as deep as the Black henna, but it is very safe.
Enjoy the mehendi design made with home-made henna paste without any side effects