How to Make Mehndi Paste

Ancient Egyptians used mehndi, or mehendi, for its cosmetic and healing properties and for Pharaonic pre-mummification rituals. Five thousand years later, cultures throughout the Middle East, North Africa and southern and southeast Asia still use this henna-based dye to create intricate body art. Most mehndi decorates the hands and feet. In southern Asia it's common for mehndi artists to apply blocks of color to fingers and toes. In Indian and Pakistan, designs mimic gloves and stockings. Create your own mehndi with mehndi paste you can make with ingredients you'll find in supermarkets and health food stores.

Things You'll Need

• Nonreactive bowl
• 1 cup strong coffee or tea
• 3 tablespoons finely sifted henna powder
• Juice of half a lemon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Add the henna powder, sugar and lemon juice to the bowl.

   • 2

     Mix the henna mixture thoroughly to work out the lumps and remove air bubbles.

   • 3

     Cover the bowl tightly and let the mixture sit overnight.

   • 4

     Add the eucalyptus oil to the henna mixture and mix it in thoroughly.

   • 5

     Cover the bowl again and allow it to sit for several hours in order to give the dye time to release.

   • 6

     Watch for the top of the henna mixture to brown and for brown liquid to leach from the paste, as these are the signs that the dye has released and the henna is ready to use.