Henna, Ingredients & Safety

What is Jagua?

Jagua is a plant-based body art dye made from the fruit of Genipa americana, a tree native to Central and South America. It leaves a blue-black stain that develops over a day or two and lasts one to two weeks.

Jagua explained

Jagua is sometimes sold as a natural alternative to black henna. It is a different product from henna and does not contain lawsone; some people can still be allergic to it, so a patch test is wise.

Some artists combine jagua with henna or use it for tattoo-style designs where a dark, ink-like look is wanted.

Also searched as: jagua henna · jagua tattoo · blue black henna

Mehendi designs related to jagua

White Henna Mehendi

White henna is not henna at all but a white cosmetic body paint applied in henna-style patterns; it sits on the surface of the skin like lace and lasts a day or two instead of staining.

Related mehendi terms

Black HennaBlack henna is not real henna. It is usually a paste containing PPD (para-phenylenediamine), a synthetic hair-dye chemical that stains skin black within minutes and can cause severe allergic reactions, blisters and lasting scars.Natural HennaNatural henna is paste made only from henna leaf powder, an acidic liquid, sugar and essential oils, with no chemical dyes or additives. It stains orange first and darkens to reddish-brown over one to two days.Henna Patch TestA henna patch test means applying a small dab of the paste to the inner arm and waiting 24-48 hours to check for redness, itching or swelling before getting a full design. It is especially useful for sensitive skin and children.AltaAlta, also called mahavar, is a red liquid dye traditionally painted on the edges of the feet and palms of brides and dancers in Bengal, Odisha and other parts of India. Unlike henna, it is painted on and washes off in days.

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