Brasilwood Extract – Brilliant Fire Reds
Derived from Haematoxylum brasiletto, our Brasilwood extract produces vibrant fire reds with remarkable depth and warmth. This historical dye has been prized for centuries for its luminous, glowing reds and its ability to shift in tone depending on pH and mordant choice. Family of the logwood tree (Haematoxylum campechianum)
It is known in its native Mexico and Guatemala as "palo de Brasil" or "palo de tinto"
Color & Dye Properties
Brazilwood extract yields rich scarlets, fiery crimsons, and warm coral reds, making it a perfect choice for striking, bold textiles. It is a pH-sensitive dye, meaning subtle shifts in acidity or alkalinity can transform the resulting color.
How to Use
Dosage: Use at 1–3% WOF (weight of fiber) for bright reds.
Preparation: Dissolve in hot water (distilled has proven to be best for this) before adding to the dye bath. Maintain heat just below a simmer for optimal dye release for about one hour. Rinse and dry in the shade.
Mordanting:
Alum enhances clear, bright reds.
Iron deepens shades to richer purples and browns.
pH Sensitivity: Acidic conditions intensify reds (but be careful to not overdo it and turn your dye bath orange), while alkalinity shifts tones towards plum and violet hues.
Origin & Active Dye Component
Source: Sustainably harvested Haematoxylum braziletto - Mexico
Main pigment: Brazilin, responsible for its fiery red brilliance.
INCI name: Haematoxylum brasiletto wood extract
CI: 75280 Natural Red 24
Haematoxylum brasiletto, commonly known as Brazilwood (Brazuletto), has a long and fascinating history as a dye plant. Its name is closely linked to the more famous Caesalpinia echinata (Pernambuco or true Brazilwood), which gave Brazil its name due to the early colonial trade in its highly prized red dye. However, Haematoxylum brasiletto is a distinct species, primarily found in Mexico, Central America, and parts of northern South America. The Brasiletto or Bois de Sainte-Marthe is a bushy and thorny shrub, common in the dry areas of Mexico and Guatamala.
Historical Use of Brazilwood Dye
Brazilwood dyes have been in use since at least the Middle Ages. In medieval Europe, dyers prized the rich reds extracted from Brazilwood to produce textiles in shades ranging from bright crimson to deep purples, often in combination with madder or kermes. The dye was so valuable that it became a major trade commodity, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where it was used for luxury textiles.
Before the discovery of cochineal, Brazilwood was one of the primary sources of red in European dyeing. It was often used to dye silk and wool, sometimes in combination with alum or tin mordants to brighten the reds. In manuscript illumination, Brazilwood was also a key ingredient in making red inks.
Geographic Origins & Trade
Mesoamerican & Indigenous Use: Indigenous peoples of Central America and Mexico used Haematoxylum brasiletto for dyeing, medicinal purposes, and even in woodworking.
European Trade Routes: With the expansion of Spanish and Portuguese colonial trade in the 16th century, Brazilwood extracts became an important export to Europe.
Later Use: By the 18th and 19th centuries, synthetic dyes gradually replaced Brazilwood, but it remains an important natural dye for historical textile reconstructions and natural dyeing practices today.
