Re: healing properties of mehndi/henna

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Posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on February 15, 2000 at 19:49:30:

In Reply to: healing properties of mehndi/henna posted by amy b on February 15, 2000 at 19:03:06:

Though henna has been used occasionally in folk medicine, there is
really virtually nothing that it actually does medicinally ... except
that it is definitely a good skin conditioner and sun block. It was
more commonly valued as a deterrant for the evil eye, and bringer of
good luck than anything else. When put on children's hands and
foreheads for fevers, it has more of a "chicken soup" character than
medicine. It's slightly cooling, but the kindliness of the mother
would do the child more good than the medical properties for a child's
fever. It's a total sunblock, and that's good if you're working in
the sun. It's skin conditioning properties are helpful to sailors
pulling in brine-soaked nets, and for people with hot cracked feet in
the summer. It seems to deter perspiration, so was used as an
antiperspirant, and helped heat rashes in damp body parts.

HOWEVER >>>>> Those just refer to mucking on a pile of henna. The
calming effect of having designs applied is another thing entirely.
"Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" has a scholarly but readable discussion
of "grooming behaviour" and how when one primate touches another in a
grooming activity, stress is reduced, the immune system is
strengthened, and social ties are established. A person whom you have
groomed is more likely to share food with you, and come to your
assistance in a difficulty. Primates who groom, and are groomed,
frequently, live longer and are healthier. I think the benefits
(health and interpersonal) of social grooming are a major part of the
fondness women have had for hennaeing! You feel better when you have
been gently stroked by another person, whether henna is the medium or
not. (Could be combs, suntan lotion, or Hershey's Chocolate Syrup ...
but if the touch is associated with a strong pleasant smell, all the
better, and music and food is a big plus!)

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: Though henna has been used occasionally in folk medicine, there is : really virtually nothing that it actually does medicinally ... except : that it is definitely a good skin conditioner and sun block. It was : more commonly valued as a deterrant for the evil eye, and bringer of : good luck than anything else. When put on children's hands and : foreheads for fevers, it has more of a "chicken soup" character than : medicine. It's slightly cooling, but the kindliness of the mother : would do the child more good than the medical properties for a child's : fever. It's a total sunblock, and that's good if you're working in : the sun. It's skin conditioning properties are helpful to sailors : pulling in brine-soaked nets, and for people with hot cracked feet in : the summer. It seems to deter perspiration, so was used as an : antiperspirant, and helped heat rashes in damp body parts. : HOWEVER >>>>> Those just refer to mucking on a pile of henna. The : calming effect of having designs applied is another thing entirely. : "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" has a scholarly but readable discussion : of "grooming behaviour" and how when one primate touches another in a : grooming activity, stress is reduced, the immune system is : strengthened, and social ties are established. A person whom you have : groomed is more likely to share food with you, and come to your : assistance in a difficulty. Primates who groom, and are groomed, : frequently, live longer and are healthier. I think the benefits : (health and interpersonal) of social grooming are a major part of the : fondness women have had for hennaeing! You feel better when you have : been gently stroked by another person, whether henna is the medium or : not. (Could be combs, suntan lotion, or Hershey's Chocolate Syrup ... : but if the touch is associated with a strong pleasant smell, all the : better, and music and food is a big plus!)

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