Alkanna tinctoria

Makeup Wurz

The make-up Wurz ( Alkanna tinctoria ) is a species of the genus Alkanna.

Features

The make-up root is a perennial, up to 30 cm tall forming herb. It flowers blue, in June. The bark of the roots contain five to six percent alkannin and something Alkannan. In addition, will also see the red pigments Anchusarot and Alkannarot. Therefore, the plant used for the production of dyes, from which the name derives.

Occurrence

The plant is native to South-Eastern Europe, Turkey, Hungary and in North Africa.

Designations

As a synonym of the scientific name Anchusa tinctoria L. is known. Furthermore, there are several common names, so Colouring ox tongue and Wrong Alkanna. For make-up or Wurz were also the names alkanet, Alkeruenwurzel, blood root, red dyer herb Orkanette, Orkanetwurzel, Turkish redness, Rotfärbekraut and red tongue use.

Use

Even in ancient times, the make-up root has been used as a means for dyeing wool and as part of applying makeup. In later eras the coloring property was used. There was also a use as a replacement for worm purple. The roots, the pigments used are harvested in the spring or autumn.