Ratanjot Root Powder
Part of our Herbs range, manufactured and exported by Arizone International LLP.
Ratanjot Root Powder is made from the dried roots of Indian alkanet, mainly Arnebia euchroma and related Onosma species. The deep purple-red powder releases a rich ruby colour into oil, and it is used as a natural colour in Kashmiri cooking, hair oils, lip balms, soaps and traditional remedies.
Arizone International supplies Ratanjot Root Powder and whole roots for hair oil and cosmetic brands, food colour users, Ayurvedic and Unani companies, soap makers, wholesalers and exporters.
The Colour of Rogan Josh
Rogan josh, one of Kashmir's most famous dishes, gets its deep red colour partly from ratanjot. Traditionally, a few pieces of the root are fried in hot oil or ghee, which turns crimson, and the coloured oil is then used to cook the meat. The same technique of infusing ratanjot in oil is used to make red hair oils and colourful cosmetic oils.
Arnebia euchroma grows at high altitudes in the western Himalayas, including Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti, and Central Asia. The roots have a papery, flaky purple bark that holds most of the colour. The same pigments are found in European alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) and in Chinese "zicao" (Lithospermum and Arnebia species).
The Pigments: Shikonin and Alkannin
The red colour comes from naphthoquinone pigments, mainly shikonin and alkannin. They are soluble in oil, fat and alcohol but not in water. Their colour changes with pH: red in acidic conditions, purple when neutral and blue in alkaline conditions. Shikonin has also attracted research interest for its role in skin care, and it is used in some traditional Chinese ointments for burns and skin conditions.
Applications
- Natural red colour for hair oils, including traditional Ayurvedic and Unani oils
- Lip balms, lipsticks, cosmetic oils and creams
- Handmade soaps (purple to blue-grey shades)
- Culinary colour for traditional Kashmiri dishes, where permitted
- Ayurvedic and Unani preparations for skin and hair
- Natural dyeing of oils, waxes and crafts
How to Use in Oils
Ratanjot powder or root pieces are gently heated in a carrier oil such as coconut, sesame or mustard oil for a short time, or soaked in oil for several days. The oil is then strained. A small amount of root colours a large volume of oil, so dosage should be tested.
Regulatory Note
While ratanjot is widely used in cosmetics, its use as a food colour is not permitted in every country, and some related borage-family plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Buyers should check food and supplement rules in their market; we can provide supporting documentation.
Quality Parameters
- Species identity and origin
- Colour strength (oil infusion test)
- Moisture, ash and soil content
- Particle size
- Microbiology and heavy metals
Packaging and Storage
Ratanjot Root Powder is packed in light-proof, airtight bags. Store in a cool, dark, dry place, as light fades the pigment.
Why Choose Arizone International?
We are an India-based supplier and exporter of Himalayan herbs and natural colours. We supply Ratanjot Root Powder and roots with colour testing and full export documentation.
Share your quantity, form, packaging and destination to receive a quotation for Ratanjot Root Powder.
Specifications
- Category
- Herbs
- Physical Form
- Fine powder – 60 to 100 mesh (custom mesh on request)
- Grade Options
- Cosmetic / Food colour grade (where permitted)
- Packaging
- 20–25 kg multi-wall paper or HDPE bags with food-grade PE liner; smaller pouches for private label
- Country of Origin
- India
- Shelf Life
- 24 months in original sealed packing
- Storage Conditions
- Cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture; keep bags closed
Applications
- Natural red colour for hair oils, including traditional Ayurvedic and Unani oils
- Lip balms, lipsticks, cosmetic oils and creams
- Handmade soaps (purple to blue-grey shades)
- Culinary colour for traditional Kashmiri dishes, where permitted
- Ayurvedic and Unani preparations for skin and hair
- Natural dyeing of oils, waxes and crafts
Compliance
Yes. Ratanjot is Indian alkanet, a root with natural red pigments.
No. Ratanjot colours oil, fat and alcohol, not water.
Yes. Ratanjot is traditionally used to give rogan josh its red colour.
Ratanjot Root Powder is usually milled to 60 to 100 mesh, and finer or coarser grades can be made to suit capsules, tea blends or cosmetic use.
Yes. Ratanjot Root Powder can be steam sterilised to lower the microbial count, which is often needed for food, supplement and export orders.
We export Ratanjot Root Powder from India to buyers in the USA, the UK, the EU, the Middle East, Australia and 40+ other countries. Orders ship by sea or air on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms, with a certificate of analysis and a certificate of origin.
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