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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