Alkanna tinctoria, the dyer's alkanet or alkanet, is a herb in the borage family. Its main notability is its roots are used as a red dye. The plant is also known as dyers' bugloss, orchanet, Spanish bugloss, or Languedoc bugloss. Alkanet grows wild in the Mediterranean region.
 
Now available in pieces and powder for easy use.
 
To get the gorgeous purple to red from the roots, the alkanet needs to be soaked in rubbing alcohol (or vodka) for a few days. Use dried alkanet at approximately 75-100% WOF for deep colours. When the alcohol  has developed a strong colour, strain off the liquid and add enough water to cover your textile.
 
Add mordanted textiles or fibres (15% alum for protein, aluminium acetate for cellulose) and heat this dyebath no higher than 60ºC.
You can stop the dye process when the fabric has soaked up all the dye.
 
In soap, alkanet will provide a wide variety of shades ranging from smoky purple to maroon depending on your soap’s PH, base oils and whether your soap gels or not. Use it as a natural colorant is to infuse your liquid oil;  1 tablespoon of powdered alkanet and 125 grams of oil in a jar, let it infuse for a week or two shaking it once a day.
 
Fun Fact; Alkanet is traditionally used in Indian food under the name ratan jot, and lends its red colour to some versions of the curry dish rogan josh.