MB Herbals Alkanet Root Powder 227g | Ratanjot Powder

To all reviewers having a hard time getting a ruby red oil extract out of alkanet root, I highly recommend that you let it sit in oil for at least 24 hours up to two weeks. The day you soak it in oil you’ll get a grayish black extract and the next day it should start turning red. I hope that helps.

Haven’t be able to get the color I want in cold process soap. More of a brown or grey than a lavender.

This is likely not really Alkanna tinctoria. Maybe it is Onosma Echioides? I’d consider using it as such, but who knows what it really is? I put the powder in an oil and allowed it to steep in a warm water bath for 12 hours. The resulting oil was definitely not red as expected. More like a mauvy purplish brown. It will stain the cheesecloth that color, so if you’re looking for a warm brown for textiles, you could use it. If you’d like to use for soap like me, you’re looking for a bluish color when exposed to a base. It does not turn blue or any other color for that matter. Stays weird brown. I’m not wasting precious goat milk on it.

I bought this for a red coloring for a lip gloss recipe. Don’t bother if that’s your goal too. It’s color is dark brown and not red at all.

I have been infusing this powder on low heat for a week and not tiny hint of red or purple is coming through. It is BROWN. I’ve consulted with folks more experienced than I am and their best guess is that either this is not real alkanet root or it’s of extremely low quality. After this experience I will be buying roots and grinding them myself. What a waste of beautiful herb infused oils!