Alkanet Root
Part of our Herbs range, manufactured and exported by Arizone International LLP.
Approximate price, may change. Please request a quote for the actual price.
Alkanet Root is the dried root of plants from the borage family that contain a deep red, oil-soluble pigment. In India it is known as ratanjot, and it is one of the few natural sources of a true red colour that dissolves in oil rather than water, which makes it valuable for cosmetics, soaps, hair oils and some traditional foods.
Arizone International supplies whole and cut Alkanet Root in bulk for cosmetic manufacturers, soap makers, hair oil brands, natural colour users, wholesalers and exporters.
Which Plant Is Alkanet?
The name alkanet is used for several related plants. European alkanet is Alkanna tinctoria, a hairy plant with blue flowers from southern Europe and Turkey. In India and the Himalayas, ratanjot usually refers to Arnebia euchroma or Onosma species, whose roots contain very similar red pigments. Buyers should agree the exact species and origin with us, as the colour strength and regulatory status can differ.
The roots are dark purple-red on the outside, with a papery, flaky bark that holds most of the colour. When the root is soaked in oil, the oil turns a rich ruby red within hours.
The Colour: Alkannin and Shikonin
The red colour comes from naphthoquinone pigments called alkannin and shikonin. They dissolve in oils, fats and alcohol but not in water. Their shade also changes with acidity: they look red in acidic conditions, purple in neutral conditions and blue in alkaline ones. This is why alkanet-coloured soap, which is alkaline, often turns purple or blue-grey rather than red.
Traditional Uses
In Kashmiri cooking, a few pieces of ratanjot are fried in hot oil to give Rogan Josh its famous deep red colour. In Ayurveda and Unani practice, ratanjot is added to hair oils and skin oils, where it gives colour and is traditionally used for the scalp and skin. In Europe, alkanet was once used to colour wines, lip salves and furniture polish.
Applications
- Natural colour for lip balms, lipsticks and cosmetic oils
- Handmade soaps (purple to blue-grey shades)
- Hair oils and Ayurvedic herbal oils
- Infused oils for body care and massage
- Traditional culinary colouring, where permitted by food laws
- Natural dyeing of fabrics and wood finishes
Quality Parameters
- Species identity and origin
- Colour strength (tested by oil infusion or pigment assay)
- Moisture and foreign matter, including soil and stems
- Heavy metals and microbiology
- Cut size or whole root, as specified
Regulatory Note
Alkanet is widely used in cosmetics, but its use as a food colour is restricted or not permitted in some markets. Some related borage-family plants also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, so food and supplement uses need careful checking. We help buyers confirm what is allowed in their market.
Packaging and Storage
Supplied in poly-lined bags or cartons, usually 10 kg to 25 kg. Store in a cool, dry, dark place, as light fades the pigment over time.
Why Choose Arizone International?
We are an India-based supplier and exporter of herbs and natural raw materials. We offer Alkanet Root whole, cut or powdered, with colour testing and full export documentation.
Share your species preference, quantity, packaging and destination to receive a quotation for Alkanet Root.
Specifications
- Category
- Herbs
- Physical Form
- Dried roots – whole or cut
- Grade Options
- Cosmetic / Food colour grade (where permitted)
- Packaging
- 25–50 kg PP or jute bags with liner, or cartons; custom packs on request
- Country of Origin
- India
- Shelf Life
- 24 months in original packing
- Storage Conditions
- Cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight, moisture and pests
Applications
- Natural colour for lip balms, lipsticks and cosmetic oils
- Handmade soaps (purple to blue-grey shades)
- Hair oils and Ayurvedic herbal oils
- Infused oils for body care and massage
- Traditional culinary colouring, where permitted by food laws
- Natural dyeing of fabrics and wood finishes
Compliance
Ratanjot is the Indian name for alkanet-type roots. They contain the same red pigments, called alkannins and shikonins.
No. The red colour of Alkanet Root dissolves in oil and alcohol, not in water, so it is usually infused into oils first.
The pigment changes colour depending on pH. In alkaline soap it shifts from red towards purple or blue.
Yes. Apart from the whole form, Alkanet Root is available as cut pieces, tea-bag cut or fine powder, as per your use.
Yes. Alkanet Root goes through sieving and sorting to remove foreign matter, and moisture is checked before it is packed.
We export Alkanet Root 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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