Henna tattoos, which have become popular with holiday-makers as they travel through Asia and the Middle East, have been linked to higher rates of leukaemia.
Researchers in the Gulf found a much higher than usual incidence of types of leukaemia in local women – elsewhere, most sufferers are men. They suggest that one possible reason could be the popular local custom of using henna to create elaborate skin decorations.
They believe that it is not the henna itself that is the problem, but the compounds used as a solvent for the henna powder. Benzene, which is known to cause cancer, is banned for this purpose in many countries, but is still widely employed. "The majority of the females in UAE routinely use henna to stain their nail, hands, feet and to decorate a large area of the skin of their arms and legs for cosmetic reasons," said the study, by a team from hospitals in the United Arab Emirates, published in the Leukaemia and Lymphoma journal.
To read more about these findings click HERE to view the Telegraph.co.uk Website.
UPDATE:
Having now received many replies and comments about this post, it appears that many of my readers are angry that I have not researched my story in more depth before I decided to publish.As I have already mentioned in my reply I did not write this article,only posted it on this blog as it makes a very definite reference to a Leukaemia issue.
I have been informed (in no uncertain way!) that "proper" henna is an entirely natural product, and in this form would pose no threat to an individuals health.The type of henna in the report is not a fully natural product, and has been found to contain Benzene which has been linked to both AML and ALL form of Leukaemia.I think that the point to consider is that the report is from a research centre based in the Middle East, and concentrates for the most part on the use of henna in large quantities by ladies in that area,.The point therefore being made is that this "artificial" henna is the type that MAY pose a risk.
I think that it is only fair then that I post this video in response to my critics, in an effort to "balance the books" as it where!.
Watch and learn folks :-)
Hope that this explains the way that REAL henna is produced :-)
Andy
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10 comments:
I beg your pardon, but most henna does not contain benzene compounds. The substance that they are using is certainly dangerous, but henna itself, minus the solvent, is not. However, your blog post's title line is misleading and could frighten people away from what is an ancient, beautiful, and completely harmless form of self expression. Is there a way for you to edit the first line so that you can elaborate that it is not just henna that is causing the harm?
Isn't this somewhat sensationalist? It should read "Benzene linked to leukaemia risk," since that is admittedly what is causing the problem. Henna is used often without any dangerous chemicals added and is perfectly safe on its own. Anyone should know that benzene is obviously not safe for use on human skin!
REAL Henna should not EVER contain any solvents, and the henna that you are talking about isn't even henna at all, it's HAIRDYE! Natural henna has proven safe time and time again! See www.hennapage.com for information about the difference between real henna and dangerous BLACK henna.
Hi, really interesting article, i hope that some education comes out on the dangers of using chemicals on the skin instead of natural henna. Such a terrible thing that these women are making themselves sick when they could use natural henna and be safe.
I agree with the above comments. Natural henna (which is traditionally made with just water or lemon juice added) has been used safely for thousands of years. In fact, it has medicinal properties and has been used to treat skin conditions and cool the body. Natural henna is not dangerous, but chemical additives, just as they would be to any safe product, are the dangerous ingredients here.
Wow.What an astonishing response to this post we have had!. Can I just mention though that this report was not compiled by myself but was simply "lifted" from the Telegraph news section....so please don't point fingers of discontent at your truly if you are not convinced of its accuracy, i am simply the messenger boy ! :-).Keep the comment s comming folks.Andy
safe and natural henna should never have additives like BENZENE-or kerosene or gasoline which are not made to be used on the skin.
ANd real henna is not concocted of chemical hair dye and benzene.
This article should have been researched before being republished .
shame on you for spreading untruths
I understand, Andy, that you are not he author of this article... but you are promoting the article by posting it. You need to know that this article is titled in a very misleading manner. Henna is not the link to cancer... the improper mixing of henna with solvents is the culprit. To state that henna is linked to cancer is to mislead the public and unfairly smear a whole profession, let alone a tradition that has been practices in many countries for centuries.
Hi Maya. Thank you for your comment.without sounding flippant Can I just ask as to how you would advise me to check the information I post?.The public who read my blog are able to follow the link and read for themselves the finer details, indeed I have now gone to some lengths to clarify the subject...more than any other publisher of this headline I would guess!.
Hello, Andy! Thank you so much for your update. You've made many (totally natural henna using) artists very happy, myself included. ;)
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