● Product Type: Whole/TBC/Powder
● English/Common Name: Alkanet Root
● Botanical Name: Arnebia nobilis
● Indian Names: Ratan Jot
● Origin: India
Mild, earthy, and woody.
A coarse, fibrous powder from the root.
The powder has a grayish appearance but imparts a brilliant, deep ruby-red color when infused in oil.
Alkanet is a plant in the borage family, and its roots are a rich source of a natural red pigment called alkannin. This pigment is not water-soluble but readily infuses into oils, creating a stunningly vibrant ruby-red hue. It is the secret ingredient behind the red color of many traditional Indian dishes like Rogan Josh and is famously used to create vibrant, naturally colored lip balms and hair oils.
● French: Orcanette des teinturiers
● German: Alkannawurzel
● Chinese: Zǐ cǎo (紫草)
● Arabic: ر ل ا م (Rijl al-hamam)
● Spanish: Ancusa de tintes
● Russian: Алкана красильная (Alkana krasil’naya)
● Japanese: アルカンナ (Arukanna)
Ratan Jot is primarily celebrated for its ability to impart a beautiful, natural red color. It is a treasured ingredient in culinary and cosmetic preparations. In traditional medicine, it is used for its skin-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to soothe burns, calm irritated skin, and is believed to have benefits for hair, helping to prevent hair fall and condition the scalp when infused in oil.
● For a Naturally Tinted Lip Balm: Gently heat Ratan Jot powder in SUPHERB® Coconut or Almond oil. Strain the brilliantly red oil through a cheesecloth and mix with beeswax to create a natural lip tint.
● For a Coloring Hair Oil: Infuse the powder in a carrier oil to create a red-hued oil that can enhance red tones in the hair.
● For Culinary Color: Infuse the powder in warm oil or ghee, strain, and then use the colored oil in your cooking.
We source our Ratan Jot roots from high-altitude regions, where the plants produce the most vibrant and stable pigments.
The dark, gnarled roots are carefully dried and ground, ready to release their beautiful color and healing properties into your chosen medium.
