There are Several things that are "black henna". That's the problem.
Posted by Catherine Cartwright Jones on June 26, 2000 at 16:58:43:
In Reply to: Concerning Black Henna posted by Silvara Hawnt on June 26, 2000 at 16:28:32:
: There is no such thing as 'Black Henna' if the henna is 'black' it
is not real henna, the reason some henna may look black in some
photographs people may have seen, it's because the henna paste has not
yet been washed off from the individual. So there is really know need
for a warning about 'black' henna cause it does not exist.
Sorry, you're absolutely wrong. There ARE traditions of black (or more
properly said "blackened" henna from North Africa and Persia, dating
at least back to 1390 BCE. Anyone who looks as "Africa Adorned" will
see blackened henna. Blackened henna appears in many Persian
miniature paintings from the medieval era. Henna can be blackened by
treating it with a very reactive, very base ph material that will
penetrate skin a bit, and percipitate the acidic dye to black. There
are a couple of such that work ; Nura, stale concentrated urines, and
ammonia are a few of the techniques. The picture there is my own
work; plain natural henna, treated with ammonia after the paste was
removed. I have dozens of pictures of my blackened henna work done
with this technique, and the paste has most certainly been removed.
And, in high summer heat, or with heavy steam work, regular henna will
go coffee-black of its own accord on athletic people with well
calloused hands.
The difficulty is that people see blackened henna, like the look, and
want it done quickly .... and go to a henna artist who does not know
the old (relatively safe) techniques. Thus, products have come onto
the market that will make black stains on the skin, and are marketed
as "black henna". Some of these products are extremely dangerous to
the health of the artist and client. Thus the warning.
If you want details on the technique for making henna turn black, in
the traditional way, email me.
- Re: There are Several things that are "black henna". That's the problem. Isabelle 18:13:11 11/17/00
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