How to Make a Henna Tattoo

Henna is an alternative to getting your body permanently tattooed with art. The application of henna is an ancient art that can be traced as far back as 2100 BC. Traditionally, henna is used to adorn brides in India. The Ancient Egyptians believed that henna helped to increase awareness of earth's energies. Here are the basic steps to creating your own henna tattoo to adorn your body and increase your connection to the earth. You can buy already mixed henna, or mix your own.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup water 2 tablespoons black tea leaves Mesh strainer 3 teaspoons henna powder Plastic freezer bag Eucalyptus oil Plastic bowl with cover Pin Cloth rag Plastic or glass stirring bowl and spoon 1/2 a lemon 1 teaspoon sugar Cotton ball Olive oil Butter knife

Instructions

Mixing Henna

1. 

   Boil the water and steep your tea leaves for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours. Let steep overnight for best results.

2. 

   Remove the tea leaves by pouring the brewed tea through your strainer.

3. 

   Pour your henna powder into the plastic freezer bag, and add the eucalyptus oil and 3 tablespoons brewed tea into the mixture. Put the freezer bag in a covered plastic bowl, and place in a cool, dark spot. Let sit overnight.

4. 

   Fold the bag to make a tube, and let the henna bulk up into one of the bottom corners. Poke your pin into the bottom corner to form a small hole.

Applying Tattoo

1. 

   Rub the area where you want to put the tattoo with a cloth rag soaked in warm water to remove any body oil or dead skin.

2. 

   Dip your finger into the eucalyptus oil and gently massage 1 or 2 drops into the area where you are applying the tattoo.

3. 

   From the henna bag tube you made in Section 1, squeeze a design onto your skin by applying long, continuous lines. Shapes, lines, and simple designs work best.

4. 

   Let the henna dry for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, squeeze your lemon into a plastic or glass bowl until all the juice comes out. Stir in the sugar.

5. 

   Dip your cotton ball into the lemon juice mixture and pat it over your design. Keep dabbing the design whenever it looks like it is drying to keep it moist.

6. 

   After at least an hour, dab the design with a cotton ball dipped in olive oil to loosen the henna. Scrape your design off with a butter knife, or rub with a dry washcloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Leave the henna on longer if you want a darker tattoo. Use a toothpick and cotton swab to clean up any uneven lines.

• Do not wet your tattoo for at least five hours. Do not use a metal bowl, only plastic or glass.

References

• Mehndi: The Art of Henna Body Painting; Carine Fabius; 1998.
• Henna