Henna Oil?

[ccmuffingirl]

Hi. Has anyone here ever done a henna oil infusion or used henna oil? Today I made an infusion using Nupur Henna (henna mixed with Brahmi, Amla, and Bhringraj powder) and used EVOO as a carrier oil. I made a brahmi, amla, and neem oil infusion the same way that leaves my hair nice and soft, but I'm hoping that the henna oil infusion will provide me with some of the strengthening properties that henna treatments give, without the mess. So, does it work?

[lastnite]

I used some of the Nupur henna in oil. I can't really say yet if it's giving the conditioning benefits of henna, plus all the other herbs I'm using can be working. Vatika oil has henna in it also, so I guess it does protect hair.

May I ask how you made your infused oil and how you strain it? Mines came out still henna/muddy like.

[Flaxen]

There's henna in the Cocoveda oil that I use. I can't say if I notice anything from the henna specifically since there are other herbs, but I like the oil very much. :smile:

[Katze]

I am a henna artist and have never heard of henna oil as being particularly useful in any way. There are products sold as 'mehlabiya oil' which are intended for use with henna body art, and are either a dodgy mix of essential oils OR contain things like kerosene - so I always tell clients to avoid such products.

[ccmuffingirl]

I used some of the Nupur henna in oil. I can't really say yet if it's giving the conditioning benefits of henna, plus all the other herbs I'm using can be working. Vatika oil has henna in it also, so I guess it does protect hair.

May I ask how you made your infused oil and how you strain it? Mines came out still henna/muddy like.

I made my oil by taking my little dipper mini crockpot, putting my henna mix into it and poured in my olive oil and let it sit for about 5 hours. I believe I did something wrong because my mix, when finished, smelled a bit burned or caramelized. Had a nutty, sweet smell to it that doesn't smell anything like henna. So, needless to say, I don't recommend that you infuse it that way. The ironic part is that I infused my brahmi oil that way and it came out lovely, no burned smell at all :confused:. BUt, on a more positive note, I did apply a small amount of that smelly mix to my hair, and my hair does feel softer and smoother, but that could just be from the olive oil.


I am a henna artist and have never heard of henna oil as being particularly useful in any way. There are products sold as 'mehlabiya oil' which are intended for use with henna body art, and are either a dodgy mix of essential oils OR contain things like kerosene - so I always tell clients to avoid such products.

I've never really heard much about henna oil either until recently. I kind of deduced that since many members use brahmi, amla, and shikakai oils that henna can be used similarly. But I'm beginning to think otherwise. I may just have to stick with my regular henna treatments.

[little_cherry]

I make my own henna oil. It is 1tbs of henna powder to 1/2 a cup of oil (I've used coconut and olive.) Let it sit for about 2 weeks and ta-da! Henna oil! I use it in overnight treatments.

[Cleopatra18]

I was considering buying this before and when i looked it up,i found it was only used to enhance the henna colour and nothing more..so i dont know.although the brand of amla oil i was using had henna in it too,but i didnt notice anything special.

[ccmuffingirl]

I make my own henna oil. It is 1tbs of henna powder to 1/2 a cup of oil (I've used coconut and olive.) Let it sit for about 2 weeks and ta-da! Henna oil! I use it in overnight treatments.

Do you find that it strengthens the hair similarly to regular henna treatments? Well, I think I'm going to be making my oils this way from now on. At least I know that if I use this method that I don't have to worry about my herbs or oil burning from my crockpot (which doesn't have heat settings). I'm most likely going to add a small amount of henna to the Brahmi, Amla, and Neem Oil I infuse and use that on a weekly basis.

[little_cherry]

Do you find that it strengthens the hair similarly to regular henna treatments? It's not as strong, but it does feel like it strengthens the hair. The oil is a brownish red colour and is nice mixed with conditioner. I'm doing an experiment to see if henna oil actually adds colour.

[ccmuffingirl]

It's not as strong, but it does feel like it strengthens the hair. The oil is a brownish red colour and is nice mixed with conditioner. I'm doing an experiment to see if henna oil actually adds colour.

Thanks for the input! Sounds great. I just may try this.

[Choctaw]

Any updates on this? I am thinking about making an infusion with henna and other ayurvedic powders for oil rinses. :eyebrows:

[aenflex]

I really like the sound of this. And I am in no way an experienced Henna person so please excuse that :) But doesn't Henna require heat for dye release and heat to do it's thing as far as the acid bonding to the keratin and sealing the hair? Would there be any real benefit to applying Henna without hot/boiling water/heat of some sort? I used to use a henna shampoo and never really noticed a difference, althouh it was rinsed out right away.

[Choctaw]

oh ... good comment. I should be able to get it to release in warm oil but then what good is it as an oil rinse after it cools, and several days, weeks later?

I have hibiscus infusions. I think I'll add some fenugreek. THANKS for your comment :)

[aenflex]

Haha - no prob! Didn't think my comment would help at all, so thanks for the THANKS :)

[ChloeDharma]

I am a henna artist and have never heard of henna oil as being particularly useful in any way. There are products sold as 'mehlabiya oil' which are intended for use with henna body art, and are either a dodgy mix of essential oils OR contain things like kerosene - so I always tell clients to avoid such products.

Unfortunately people do get these oils mixed up. The oil Katze refers to is sold for people using henna on the skin. Adding henna to oil to produce an extract of henna in the oil is very traditional in India. It is used for helping to treat scalp problems and for hair growth.
You will find it in most Indian hair oils but listed as lawsonia alba instead of inermis.

[little_cherry]

You don't need heat to release the henna unless you want colour. The henna oil I use strengthens a little without colouring. I added some Yemeni powder to Olive oil and steeped in a dark place for 2 weeks. The oil looks greenish, but in the light it has a reddish hue. Very moisturising and I do believe it strengthens...it would be great with amla, actually.

[Choctaw]

Unfortunately people do get these oils mixed up. The oil Katze refers to is sold for people using henna on the skin. Adding henna to oil to produce an extract of henna in the oil is very traditional in India. It is used for helping to treat scalp problems and for hair growth.
You will find it in most Indian hair oils but listed as lawsonia alba instead of inermis.

thanks. I will go to indusladies to search for a recipe

[little_cherry]

thanks. I will go to indusladies to search for a recipe

Check here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=1147588&postcount=6) for a basic henna oil. One can add more herbs to this oil or even use a mix of coconut and olive oils.

[Choctaw]

Check here (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showpost.php?p=1147588&postcount=6) for a basic henna oil. One can add more herbs to this oil or even use a mix of coconut and olive oils.

thank you! I started this one with coconut oil tonight.

[Choctaw]

Just an update on henna infused oils. I infused a jar of coconut oil with a few tablespoons of henna. I prepared another jar with henna, amla, brhami, maka, hibiscus & fenugreek infused in castor oil. I loved both of these blends in oil rinses :)

[3azza]

i make my own henna/amla oil and i think it works better than oil alone. But using it as oil does not feel the same as henna mixed with water. Both are good in different ways.

[tigereye]

Does anyone know if it deposits any colour?

[Kome]

I use a shampoo and conditioner from the Indian grocery store that has henna in it. My hair seems MUCH softer after I use it. I think it just has the henna's conditioning properties, but it could be many of the other natural ingrediants in it. *shrugs*

[<~Rosenkranz~>]

I'd like to add some herbal henna to coconut oil and use it mostly for scalp massages. Is it better just to let it sit 2 weeks as little_cherry suggested, or would it be okay to put it on the stove at a low heat for some period of time? Will that mess anything up..?

If not, how long should I heat it that way?

I am too impatient. :o

[wavykisses]

Does anybody still makes their own henna oil?, I have some cassia and herbs and I was thinking making some cassia infused oil.

[Shatam1]

I do:) I used mustard and coconut oil I put them in a jar over boiling water, like a double boiler, and added one table spoon of henna and another of Amla powders . After a few days it turned very dark green and I use it for deep oilings on my hair. I had to strain it after about a month. I keep it in a dark cool area. It does help with shedding as henna and mustard oil is a treatment for balding . Hope that is helpful:cheese:

[wavykisses]

I do:) I used mustard and coconut oil I put them in a jar over boiling water, like a double boiler, and added one table spoon of henna and another of Amla powders . After a few days it turned very dark green and I use it for deep oilings on my hair. I had to strain it after about a month. I keep it in a dark cool area. It does help with shedding as henna and mustard oil is a treatment for balding . Hope that is helpful:cheese:

Thank you it was very helpful. Do you notice any color change in your hair by the oil?.
I have some amla,rose petals powder, brahmi and shikakai so I will mix those with my cassia and some sesame and coconut oil.:cheese:

[Shatam1]

No, I never notice any change in color but that is because my hair is hennaed and very red:) My guess is that on lighter shades it would darken hair. U can add any oil that benefits your hair and any herbs as well. Enjoy your creations:poot:

[Prettychild]

I live in the UAE and they sell henna oil here. I've used it and it soothes the frizzies brilliantly (it is very humid here during the summer months). I can't tell if it deposits colour on the hair because I already henna my hair red but it stains my hands if I don't wash them immediately after using it.

[wavykisses]

I live in the UAE and they sell henna oil here. I've used it and it soothes the frizzies brilliantly (it is very humid here during the summer months). I can't tell if it deposits colour on the hair because I already henna my hair red but it stains my hands if I don't wash them immediately after using it.

This is interesting it might as well stain hair since it is stained your hands:confused:.
I guess if I used cassia it won't be much of a problem.
I'm waiting to buy a tea ball to put my herbs in there and the steep them in to the oil

[Shatam1]

This is interesting it might as well stain hair since it is stained your hands:confused:.
I guess if I used cassia it won't be much of a problem.
I'm waiting to buy a tea ball to put my herbs in there and the steep them in to the oil

I wouldn't put them in a tea ball if I were u because it would not let the herbs seep all their benefits in the oil. What I do too is I stir it with a plastic spoon every few days then after a month I strain it when all the herbs are lying at the bottom. Then I start to use it. The quantity I make lasts me about a year:)

[wavykisses]

Thanks for the tip Shatam1, I will use your method without the tea ball :D. I'm excited to make my own herb oil.

[Starchild494]

If I add a few drops of vitamin e and places in a brown bottle, will my henna infusion last longer?

[Starchild494]

I infused henna in EVOO and I am in love with it and will make more! Makes my hair soft and shiny. I plan on making a whipped hair conditioner using my henna oil shea butter and a few other oils and essentials...

I think I have made my first oil batch very strong and I'm ok with that. Just used it in an oil treatment! I luv it!

https://i.imgur.com/cGzGVE7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t2bhalV.jpg

[Starchild494]

I infused henna in EVOO and I am in love with it and will make more! Makes my hair soft and shiny. I plan on making a whipped hair conditioner using my henna oil shea butter and a few other oils and essentials...

I think I have made my first oil batch very strong and I'm ok with that. Just used it in an oil treatment! I luv it!

https://i.imgur.com/cGzGVE7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t2bhalV.jpg

I have seen it stain on my hands or hairs if that helps...

[Neoma]

I am intrigued by this idea. I'm thinking it might help extend the time between henna treatments.

Thoughts? How long to people leave it on?

[tuanyiji]

Inspired by Steph Arizona, I made some infused henna oil with my Nupur henna and various oil.

https://youtu.be/yftMnnjLjHk
I did almost everything instructed in the video, and I included two capsules of Vitamin E as preservative as I didn’t use heat on it. I put it near the window where it can get some sunlight. I will try to remember to turn the glass jar upside down every day or every few days. I will update in a few weeks.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1001725273378668557/1007280653806604360/IMG_8983.jpg

[Nightshade]

so I think this isn't likely to work for a couple reasons.

First, let's talk about how henna conditions. I go into it at length here (including how sedr and cassia/senna condition, too (https://www.nightblooming.com/2018/02/06/sedr-senna-henna-herbal-conditioning-properties/)) but the short version for henna is:

Henna– There are two steps in the conditioning properties of henna. The first is the lawsone molecule, which binds to the keratin in hair and permanently makes makes hair red-orange, stronger and thicker. Also a desert plant, henna leaves a permeable coating on hair similar to that of Sedr’s. This coating fills in rough spots on the cuticle and helps reduce damage from outside sources such as combing and styling. This permeable coating, however, fades after 4-8 weeks.

The lawsone molecule is water-soluble, meaning it won't dye release in oil. This means you're for sure not getting this part of the conditioning.

For the second part, the henna leaves have a permeable epicuticular wax coating (made of fatty acids) to help retain moisture. This is the part of conditioning that might actually get into a 'henna oil' but given that epicuticular waxes are permeable and susceptible to the transport of water, I'm also skeptical about how this behaves in oil.

tl:dr- The conditioning components work when adding water to the henna powder, and there's no scientific reason they'd work in oil. You're better off just doing a sedr treatment if you want to refresh the wax portion of henna's conditioning.

[Nightshade]

Also, keep in mind Vitamin E is NOT a preservative. It is an antioxidant. That means it helps protect whatever you're making from oxidization, it doesn't prevent things from growing in it or act as a true preservative.

[tuanyiji]

so I think this isn't likely to work for a couple reasons.

First, let's talk about how henna conditions. I go into it at length here (including how sedr and cassia/senna condition, too (https://www.nightblooming.com/2018/02/06/sedr-senna-henna-herbal-conditioning-properties/)) but the short version for henna is:

Henna– There are two steps in the conditioning properties of henna. The first is the lawsone molecule, which binds to the keratin in hair and permanently makes makes hair red-orange, stronger and thicker. Also a desert plant, henna leaves a permeable coating on hair similar to that of Sedr’s. This coating fills in rough spots on the cuticle and helps reduce damage from outside sources such as combing and styling. This permeable coating, however, fades after 4-8 weeks.

The lawsone molecule is water-soluble, meaning it won't dye release in oil. This means you're for sure not getting this part of the conditioning.

For the second part, the henna leaves have a permeable epicuticular wax coating (made of fatty acids) to help retain moisture. This is the part of conditioning that might actually get into a 'henna oil' but given that epicuticular waxes are permeable and susceptible to the transport of water, I'm also skeptical about how this behaves in oil.

tl:dr- The conditioning components work when adding water to the henna powder, and there's no scientific reason they'd work in oil. You're better off just doing a sedr treatment if you want to refresh the wax portion of henna's conditioning.


Also, keep in mind Vitamin E is NOT a preservative. It is an antioxidant. That means it helps protect whatever you're making from oxidization, it doesn't prevent things from growing in it or act as a true preservative.
Thank you very much for such a detailed explanation. I’m a big admirer of your work.
This explanation actually put my mind in a much more relieved state.
My intention for doing this henna infusion experiment is to have stronger, thicker hair without coloring my naturally black hair drastically (as far as I know, even if I do the full-on application, it won't really change my hair color that much), I won’t mind a little orange shine under the sun. I know however little henna I use (1tbs in a 500ml jar of oil), it will build up after multiple applications. Mostly I want the condition/waxing effect of henna on my very old and fragile ends, and if it works and dyes permanently, I will appreciate it all the same (after all, I can always add indigo later). I can’t source any reliable zizyphus in my area currently, roughly translated, we have something called “Chinese date or jujube” (a prevalent nutritious fruit) but I’m not sure if it’s the same thing. I will look into it. But I have cassia so I will try that next time.
I sterilized the glass jar before I poured anything inside since I didn’t want it to get moldy as this project had been intended to last a few weeks. Now that you talked about it, I will still use this oil next weekend in an attempt to finish it as soon as possible. I have a weekly hot oil treatment that contains vitamin E so it’ll just be part of my hair care routine as usual. If henna only works in water, I will try to mix the henna oil with other moisturizers and apply this substance to slightly damp hair and let it sit for a while. I’m curious to see how my hair will react to that.
I have been using deep cleansing shampoo to clarify my hair for the future maximum uptake of the henna goodies. I will update later.
Hope this thread will be helpful to others who are interested in doing similar things with henna.

[Nightshade]

Thank you very much for such a detailed explanation. I’m a big admirer of your work.
This explanation actually put my mind in a much more relieved state.
My intention for doing this henna infusion experiment is to have stronger, thicker hair without coloring my naturally black hair drastically (as far as I know, even if I do the full-on application, it won't really change my hair color that much), I won’t mind a little orange shine under the sun. I know however little henna I use (1tbs in a 500ml jar of oil), it will build up after multiple applications. Mostly I want the condition/waxing effect of henna on my very old and fragile ends, and if it works and dyes permanently, I will appreciate it all the same (after all, I can always add indigo later). I can’t source any reliable zizyphus in my area currently, roughly translated, we have something called “Chinese date or jujube” (a prevalent nutritious fruit) but I’m not sure if it’s the same thing. I will look into it. But I have cassia so I will try that next time.
I sterilized the glass jar before I poured anything inside since I didn’t want it to get moldy as this project had been intended to last a few weeks. Now that you talked about it, I will still use this oil next weekend in an attempt to finish it as soon as possible. I have a weekly hot oil treatment that contains vitamin E so it’ll just be part of my hair care routine as usual. If henna only works in water, I will try to mix the henna oil with other moisturizers and apply this substance to slightly damp hair and let it sit for a while. I’m curious to see how my hair will react to that.
I have been using deep cleansing shampoo to clarify my hair for the future maximum uptake of the henna goodies. I will update later.
Hope this thread will be helpful to others who are interested in doing similar things with henna.



Aww thank you so much :inlove: I think with your hair so dark you could do a one step with henna, amla, and indigo and get all the conditioning benefits without color change :) Like maybe an orange glow if someone shone a spotlight on your head, but the amla mutes the orange even more and gives a true blue-black.

[tuanyiji]

Aww thank you so much :inlove: I think with your hair so dark you could do a one step with henna, amla, and indigo and get all the conditioning benefits without color change :) Like maybe an orange glow if someone shone a spotlight on your head, but the amla mutes the orange even more and gives a true blue-black.
Thank you so much.
I do plan to give myself a full-on henna+indigo application in the future, adding amla would be a very great idea.
However, I am currently collecting my sheds and sorting the huge mess of hairballs from my five hospitalizations in an attempt to make some shed hair hand-tie/weaving wefts (https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/blog.php?u=94872&blogcategoryid=3640) as accent braids and extension for my future traditional Chinese hairstyle projects matching my Hanfu (traditional Chinese Han ethnic costume), so I need to make sure all my hairs are of the same color.

Therefore I plan to finishing sorting my hairballs first, then I hendigo the hair on my scalp and the wefts at once to make sure I can do this in one go with a unifying color, making sure they truly blend in, even if it is not jet black, because the ratio of powders, liquid, warmth, time can all contribute to a variable, and I saw once a quote here, something like, "henna gives you the color it wants, not the color you want" lol, I'm not sure if it's coming from you lol.

I'll let myself be acquainted with henna by using very light henna gloss/oil first, I will also do cassia treatment on myself and my mom to see how I feel about a powder-based haircare routine, getting myself used to the mixing and application techniques. Then I'd be more confident in putting so much henna mud on my scalp.

Update: My first henna oil experience and my thought about it: https://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=155325&p=3952804&viewfull=1#post3952804