These 10 Mehendi Facts Will Amaze You to No End (5 of 6)
Essential oils are added to mehendi in Indian weddings
To make the mehendi paste, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil are added to the henna powder. Essential oils help darken the color of the mehendi and are also believed to have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which can prevent skin infections and allergies. The use of essential oils in mehendi is also considered to have a therapeutic effect, as the aroma can help to calm the nerves and reduce stress.
Mehendi even dates back to Indian mythology
In Indian mythology, Parvati, the goddess of love, fertility, and devotion, is said to have used mehendi to decorate her hands and feet in order to please her husband, Shiva, the god of destruction and transformation. According to legend, Parvati would spend hours creating intricate designs on her skin using mehendi, which was believed to symbolize the bond between a husband and wife. The tradition of using mehendi to decorate the bride’s hands and feet during Hindu weddings is said to have originated from this myth.