Make-up root

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 20.01.2025

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Synonym(s)

alkanna tinctoria; alkanna tuberculata; Dyer's alkanna

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Alkanna is a hardy, herbaceous plant from the borage family. Alkanna is mainly native to southern Europe and North Africa. It grows to a height of up to 100 cm. Alkanna tuberculata produces purple to blue flowers. It flowers from June to October.

For use, see Alkannae radix.

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

The make-up root is a dyeing plant known for centuries, with which violet tones can be produced on textiles. However, the plant has also been widely used to dye cosmetics.

Ingredient(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Mixture of red dyes: monomeric and oligomeric esters of S-(-) alkannine, naphtharizine, especially in the bark of the root, see also Radix Alkannae.

Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.

Alkanna tuberculata is the parent plant of Radix Alkannae, the dyer's weed root.

Due to its pyrolizidine alkaloid content, it has been cited by the German Pharmacists' Drug Commission as a questionable basis for formulations.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl-Teedrogens and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 56-57

Authors

Last updated on: 20.01.2025

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles