Is henna edible?

[bigred199]

Okay, I know this is a really weird question. But here's the reason I'm asking. I have had toenail fungus for the last five years now, and I've tried every homemade remedy under the sun to treat it. Nothing has worked. However, I recently noticed that the two nails that are infected appear to be growing in clear. Which is weird, because I've kind of been ignoring them lately. I haven't been looking after them or applying anything to them, outside of the same old home remedies that haven't worked for the past five years.

The only thing I can think that I've changed in the last six months is I started hennaing. My first henna was a really long, intense, something like eight-hour henna. I know it absorbed in my scalp really well, because later my urine turned green. :disbelief I wasn't expecting that!

I've since looked into henna a bit more, enough to learn that it has anti-fungal properties. So I'm thinking IF henna is what has made a difference in my toenail fungus, then I wish there was a way I could "absorb" it into my body on a more regular basis, to ensure the toenail fungus goes away for good and never comes back! I don't really want to apply it to my head more frequently, because my color's about as dark as I'd like it. And I'm not real thrilled at the thought of applying it directly to my toenails -- orangy-brown toenails, you know, although I suppose I could apply it before dye release.

But anyway, this line of thinking naturally led me to wondering whether henna is edible or not. Anyone know the answer to this? Maybe I could whip up a nice pot of henna tea? :D

Any thoughts?

[christine1989]

I've often wondered about this myself just out of curiosity. I think it is in the same family as senna/cassia which is used in teas sometimes. I don't think it would hurt you if you ate it but have you considered just putting the henna on your toenail, letting it soak in then painting your nails to cover up the orange color?

[Nymph]

If you google it you'll have warnings everywhere not to ingest it, so I would definitly not try it.

[kwaniesiam]

Okay, I know this is a really weird question. But here's the reason I'm asking. I have had toenail fungus for the last five years now, and I've tried every homemade remedy under the sun to treat it. Nothing has worked. However, I recently noticed that the two nails that are infected appear to be growing in clear. Which is weird, because I've kind of been ignoring them lately. I haven't been looking after them or applying anything to them, outside of the same old home remedies that haven't worked for the past five years.

The only thing I can think that I've changed in the last six months is I started hennaing. My first henna was a really long, intense, something like eight-hour henna. I know it absorbed in my scalp really well, because later my urine turned green. :disbelief I wasn't expecting that!

I've since looked into henna a bit more, enough to learn that it has anti-fungal properties. So I'm thinking IF henna is what has made a difference in my toenail fungus, then I wish there was a way I could "absorb" it into my body on a more regular basis, to ensure the toenail fungus goes away for good and never comes back! I don't really want to apply it to my head more frequently, because my color's about as dark as I'd like it. And I'm not real thrilled at the thought of applying it directly to my toenails -- orangy-brown toenails, you know, although I suppose I could apply it before dye release.

But anyway, this line of thinking naturally led me to wondering whether henna is edible or not. Anyone know the answer to this? Maybe I could whip up a nice pot of henna tea? :D

Any thoughts?

I would not advise eating it.

You can put it directly on your toenails and just cover the stain with nail polish until it grows out.

[Ishje]

interesting, I have a fungus in my toenails as well, very embarrassing.
and I as well have tried nearly everything to get rid of it. (would be nice to be able to wear open shoes again XD)

I don't think you can eat the henna, but maybe you can apply it to your feet?
like some people to to make their hands and feet prettier.
or is that not the same type of henna?

*edit, I see other people allready suggested it*

[Marjolein]

Perhaps you could look into the anti-fungal properties of senna? Senna is rather save to ingest (just make a tea). Or perhaps you could apply cassia to your toenails? If there were to be any color change it would be a light yellow instead of bright orange.

[Pierre]

I ate henna once by mistake, but I would not recommend eating it. I henna my toenails and like how they look.

Henna is related to crape myrtles and pomegranates. Cassia is in the bean family. They are not related to each other. Nor is henna closely related to walnuts, though their dye molecules are isomers.

[Marjolein]

I ate henna once by mistake, but I would not recommend eating it. I henna my toenails and like how they look.

Henna is related to crape myrtles and pomegranates. Cassia is in the bean family. They are not related to each other. Nor is henna closely related to walnuts, though their dye molecules are isomers.


Ah yes, but cassia does have some anti-fungal properties, so it might help.

[bigred199]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I think I've decided direct application is probably the best thing to try, rather than ingesting it. I'll just deal with having orange toenails. Just like nail polish, right?


have you considered just putting the henna on your toenail, letting it soak in then painting your nails to cover up the orange color?

Unfortunately, wearing polish with nail fungus is said to be a bad idea. It traps the fungus in a warm, dark place (under the polish) where it can thrive. Yuck!


Perhaps you could look into the anti-fungal properties of senna? Senna is rather save to ingest (just make a tea). Or perhaps you could apply cassia to your toenails? If there were to be any color change it would be a light yellow instead of bright orange.

Now this is interesting! I'd forgotten I drank senna tea rather religiously for a few weeks in July. I wonder if this could be what affected my nails??? :run:Off to do more research!

[Olivia23]

Have you tried putting tea tree oil on your toenails every night before you go to bed? Tea tree oil is an antifungal.

[ecologystudent]

My mom used henna on her toenails to fix her fungus, and she was really pleased with it.

[GRU]

FYI, senna is also a laxative... might not want to ingest large doses unless you're willing to deal with the consequences! :bigeyes:

[Anje]

I would advise against eating it. The dye molecule lawsone is chemically similar to the walnut husk dye jugulone (sp?), which is a bit toxic. That doesn't suggest that henna is toxic, but it's enough that I'd avoid taking it internally.

Do try staining your toenails with henna. If you leave it on overnight, after it's dry, it'll stain darker. Maybe red if your body chemistry allows it. Me, I like my finger- and toe-nails the terracotta color henna dyes them, but like Kwanie said, you could always paint over it.

[Nightshade]

I'm also recommending just putting it on your toenails. If you don't like the color, or if your husband doesn't and takes to calling your plague-foot, you can just put polish over it.

[bigred199]

If you don't like the color, or if your husband doesn't and takes to calling your plague-foot, you can just put polish over it.

Lol! That's what I'm afraid of! :D

[Katze]

I don't think you can eat the henna, but maybe you can apply it to your feet?
like some people to to make their hands and feet prettier.
or is that not the same type of henna?

*edit, I see other people allready suggested it*

Henna artist here. Yes, it is. Henna is indeed antifungal, and North African friends have often reported curing athlete's foot with it. You end up with bright orange feet/nails (and the nails stay orange until they grow out) but it WORKS.

The other thing that works well for me is Dr Bronner's soap. 'Soap, Dry, Apply, OK!' as the label says for treating athlete's foot. Don't know if this would work on nails, though.


I would advise against eating it. The dye molecule lawsone is chemically similar to the walnut husk dye jugulone (sp?), which is a bit toxic. That doesn't suggest that henna is toxic, but it's enough that I'd avoid taking it internally.

Do try staining your toenails with henna. If you leave it on overnight, after it's dry, it'll stain darker. Maybe red if your body chemistry allows it. Me, I like my finger- and toe-nails the terracotta color henna dyes them, but like Kwanie said, you could always paint over it.

Yes, although I have ingested small amounts of henna over the years, I would say don't do it. Unlike PPD 'black henna' (the fake, toxic chemical stuff, nothing to do with the plant) the henna molecule is too large to pass into your bloodstream, BUT is still not really edible. I have heard of henna being used medicinally, but I think that came from some old, badly-researched information.

One of the problems with henna is that there is no reliable, scientific research on a lot of its properties. It is known, however, that it is antifungal, so you can apply it to your poor feet and nails without any worries.

Feel free to PM me with any henna on skin questions.

[Nightshade]

Lol! That's what I'm afraid of! :D

My husband and I love giving each other good-natured hell, so it's all in jest and fun.

Though that WAS the last time I hennaed my toes. :p