Method of applaying henna (mehandi)

Method of applaying henna (mehandi)

1. Make fine dust or powder of dried leaves of henna. Henna powder is available from the market also. Sift the powder twice or thrice with the help of fine muslin cloth.

2. Pour eight to ten drops of eucalyptus oil into filtered lemon juice and add henna powder to it. Let this wet mixture be soaked for about two hours to make it a lump. Or

Drop leaves of tamarind and tea into water and have it boiled and filtered. Then mix it with required henna powder. Let it be soaked for about two hours to make it a lump.

3. A thin small stick or a plastic paper cone should be used to apply this wet lump of henna. Such sticks of ivory, sandal and plastic are available at the market. The sharp end of a needle can also be used for applying henna.

4. A mixture of lemon juice and sugar should be kept ready in a small bowl. Continue applying this mixture gently with a clean cotton patch to that part of the hand or the leg where henna has been applied; so that the henna does not get dry and fall off. Then proceed with applying henna to other parts of hands and legs.

5. The henna, thus applied should be scraped off after four to five hours. Moreover, care should be taken not to allow water to touch that part where it was applied for about twele to fourteen hours even after scraping off the henna. This will cause the henna grow deeper and deeper.

6. After scraping henna apply mustard oil on the parts where henna was applied. Or

Heat the powder of four or five cloves on an iron pan hold the parts to which henna was applied over that heat for some time.