Spiritual Benefits of Wearing ‘Mehendi’ in Solaah Shringaar

In today’s blog, we will be discussing the Spiritual Benefits of Wearing ‘Mehendi’ in Solaah Shringaar.

In many Indian traditions, mehendi or henna is associated with spirituality and cultural significance. Solaah Shringaar, a sixteen-step process for beautifying women in classic Indian rituals, highlights Mehendi as more than an ornamental design.

Its origin, ingredients, and cultural purpose serve a profound spiritual role. This blog discusses the origin of mehendi, the science behind the ingredients composing it, and its physical benefits upon application, down to energy, frequency, and vibration of the wearer.

Where did ‘Mehendi’ originate from?

The mehndi is derived from a plant called ‘Lawsonia Inermis’, otherwise known as the henna plant, which flourishes in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.

Historians refer to the use of henna as far back as over 5,000 years. Moreover, evidence of its use has been found in Egyptian civilization, where there is proof that it was applied even to pharaohs during their burial ceremonies. This practice of applying mehendi has been documented since the Vedic period in India and most often is associated with auspicious occasions: mainly marriages, festivals, and other such events.

In Hindu culture, mehendi was associated with the divine feminine. It is an intrinsic part of marriage rites, signifying joy, prosperity, and auspicious beginnings. Mehendi application at first was a private affair among women for the beautification of their body and spiritual attachment, which later developed into a more celebrated tradition where women gather together to draw intricate designs, each carrying its own symbolism.

The Science Behind Mehndi Ingredients

The base ingredient of mehendi is the powdered leaves of the henna plant, Lawsonia Inermis, which contains a chemical called lawsone.

As the powdered leaves are mixed with water, lemon juice, and essential oils, such as eucalyptus, the release of lawsone occurs, which binds with the keratin of the skin to produce the lasting stain. This procedure does not involve just a chemical reaction but is believed to offer therapeutic value.

Here is a breakdown of the key ingredients of mehendi paste:-

1. Henna Powder: Lawsonia inermis-henna contains a pigment called lawsone, which has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and cooling properties. It soothes the skin, reduces inflammation, and acts like a natural disinfectant.

2. Lemon Juice: Generally used for releasing the lawsone within the henna, lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C, which assists in brighter and healthier skin. The acidity helps with a deeper red-orange stain and makes the design last longer.

3. Eucalyptus Oil: Because of its potent smell and for its antiseptic properties, the volatile fragrance of eucalyptus oil is added to mehndi. Eucalyptus oil opens the skin pores, which is very useful in giving a deep and dark stain. Its invigorating fragrance also relaxes the mind.

4. Cloves: Traditionally, it has been known to burn cloves and let out fumes that darken the mehendi stain and make its effect pronounced. The fumes coming out of cloves improve the flow of blood, and its fragrance is very grounding, hence making the experience spiritual.

These ingredients have therapeutic properties extending beyond the skin. Combined, they make for a potent mix working as a natural coolant, a stress reducer, and a mild antiseptic.

Physical and Health Benefits of Applying Mehndi

• Body Cooling:

Henna is known to have a cooling action, which maintains the physiological temperature of a person and keeps it in balance. The application of mehendi on the high areas such as your palms and feet, which contain nerve endings and energy points, keeps the body temperature down, particularly during summer.

• Anti-inflammatory and Healing Properties:

Since mehndi contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it acts as a medication for cuts, burns, and skin inflammation. The ancient Egyptians, for instance, used this plant as a medication applied to open sores and wounds.

• Relaxes and Relieves Stress:

The fabled earthy smell of henna on hands is almost meditative in effect, soothing the mind and hence the tension in all the cerebral segments to calm one down. This same effect is bettered by essential oils like eucalyptus added to the mehendi paste, making it aromatherapy of sorts.

The act of putting on henna itself can be a soothing ritual, which enables one to sit still and focus on the artistry, hence making it a mindful activity that brings relief from undue stress and provides mental clarity.

Spiritual Benefits of Applying Mehendi

Mehendi is beautiful, but it is more-so spiritually entailing with energy, frequency, and vibration. Many traditions highlight how Mehendi is used to amplify one’s aura, heighten their consciousness, and puts the flow of energy in balance within the body.

1. Amplifying Positive Vibrations

Mehendi application is done on those parts of the body that are considered delicate and believed to be the entry and exit points of energy, such as hands and feet.

The basic Ayurvedic science describes hands and feet with energy channels or nadis that assist in the flow of prana, or life energy. Its cooling effect applies to these areas; thus, it supposedly balances the energies of the body and hence aligns with maintaining harmony of the body.

2. Raising Spiritual Frequency

Mehendi actually grounds a person and helps him/her go up to a higher frequency. Applying according to the traditional Indian rituals is said to purify one’s aura and hence help a person spread positivity and connect with higher spiritual realms.

According to Dr Vasant Lad, a well-known Ayurvedic expert, henna has been said to have a grounding action that draws a person closer to the earth, promoting stability with a deeper spiritual presence. This helps in balancing the mind and emotions for spiritual practices and meditations.

3. Connection with the Energy of the Divine Feminine

Mehndi at times is believed to be a manifestation of the Shakti energy, which is the divine feminine force in Hinduism.

On application to the body, mehndi respects the feminine essence, centering and empowering the woman to connect with their spiritual and nurturing qualities.

Women wear mehndi in an effort to connect with Goddess Lakshmi as a means of invoking prosperity, love, and divine blessings.

4. Purification and Protection

Mehendi applied in sacred symbols, such as mandalas, paisleys, and floral motifs, is believed to protect the wearer from negative energies.

Many cultures have used mehendi to guard against the evil eye or bad vibes that may touch a person. In this respect, the spiritual and aesthetic use of mehendi is like invoking a protective aura, a symbol of a barrier of positive energy that encompasses and protects the wearer.

Scientific evidence related to mehendi and energy work remains scanty; however, research on similar modalities points out how natural ingredients can affect one’s vibrational energy, such as in aromatherapy and Ayurvedic treatments. These fields indicate that natural compounds, particularly when applied with intention, can in fact have positive effects on our well-being.

A study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine says that many traditional herbs, including those found in mehendi, contain compounds that have been shown to influence the parasympathetic nervous system by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and in turn enhancing the energetic field of a body.

Conclusion: Spiritual Benefits of Wearing ‘Mehendi’ in Solaah Shringaar

Mehendi, a centuries-old art form that has adorned hands and feet across generations, serves a purpose far deeper than beauty alone. Rooted in cultures that revered the spiritual alongside the material, mehendi’s role in Solaah Shringaar speaks volumes about its significance. By exploring the science behind its ingredients and the blend of physical and spiritual benefits it offers, we see mehendi as a powerful form of self-care, harmonizing body, mind, and soul.

If you liked reading this blog ‘Spiritual Benefits of Wearing ‘Mehendi’ in Solaah Shringaar’ then stay tuned for more editions as we will cover all the 16 special bridal ornaments.

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