Punjabi Mehndi Designs Photos: Punjabi Henna Pictures

In Indian cultural, there are many sorts of mehndi designs like Punjabi, Arabic Mehndi, Rajasthani Mehndi, Crystal Mehndi, Tattoo Mehndi, etc. Traditional Indian Mehndi is among the most popular styles of mehndi currently. Punjabi Mehndi Designs can be found in mainly Middle Eastern and South Asian countries like Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Persia, Morocco, Egypt, Bangladesh and India.

In the West in the late 1990s, Mehndi decorations became fashionable, where they sometimes called henna tattoos. During special occasions like weddings and festivals like eid and diwali, Henna is classically applied.

All have found Asian henna to be the best for mehndi. The Mehndi plant (Lawsonia inermis) is 8 to 10 feet high and its leaves are dried and crushed to make henna powder. The natural dyeing properties found in henna are tannins. Synonyms for henna are henne, Al-Khanna, Al-henna, Jamaica Mignonette, Egyptian Privet and Smooth Lawsonia.

Mehndi holds a lot of cultural significance in Indian traditions. Be it weddings, Karva Chauth or other occasions, mehndi plays an important role in all the ceremonies and festivals of India. In todays era of modernization, the new styles and designs of mehndi are coming up, adding glamour and fun to it.

Henna is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds temporarily to lawsone, the colorant of henna. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.

The term henna tattoo is inaccurate, because tattoos are defined as permanent surgical insertion of pigments underneath the skin, as opposed to pigments resting on the surface as is the case with mehndi.

Mehndi designs majorly comprise floral patterns, religious symbols, etc. while adding beauty and uniqueness to each design applied. For its medicinal properties, Henna or Mehndi is also known worldwide. In fact, it was used as a cosmetic in earlier times due to its therapeutic features. Around the world, Mehndi is widely adopted as a conditioner and dye for hair by both men and women.

Mehndi creates a lustrous look for hair by applying henna on hair. For its cooling effects, mehndi is also popular. Mehndi is used in hot climates in India and other countries. In lowering body temperature and soothe headaches, fevers, burning feet and even hysteria or a violent temper, Mehndi is very useful thing. It can increase the luster of nails, is effective in muscular rigidity and even in Jaundice.

At present, Henna is used for fashion with much experimentation happening on ways of its application. Especially in the West, It is used to make tattoos on different parts of the body prominently. Tattoos are made on arms, wrists, around the navel, the shoulder or the back. Henna is now being used for body art as well.