Natural dyes are derived from renewable sources, primarily plants, invertebrates, and minerals. They provide color for textiles, food, and other materials.
Sources of Natural Dyes
Here's a breakdown of the main sources:
-
Plants: The most abundant source of natural dyes. Different parts of the plant can be used, including:
- Roots (e.g., madder for red)
- Berries (e.g., elderberries for purple)
- Bark (e.g., oak bark for brown)
- Leaves (e.g., indigo for blue, henna for reddish-brown)
- Wood (e.g., logwood for black/purple)
- Flowers (e.g., marigolds for yellow)
-
Invertebrates: Certain insects and mollusks are valuable sources of vibrant colors.
- Insects (e.g., cochineal beetles for red)
- Mollusks (e.g., sea snails for Tyrian purple)
-
Minerals: Earth pigments and metallic compounds also yield natural dyes.
- Ochre (iron oxides for yellows, reds, and browns)
- Ultramarine (lapis lazuli for blue)
Examples of Natural Dyes and Their Sources
| Dye | Source | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Indigo | Indigo plant | Blue |
| Madder | Madder root | Red |
| Cochineal | Cochineal beetle | Red/Crimson |
| Turmeric | Turmeric root | Yellow |
| Logwood | Logwood tree | Black/Purple |
| Henna | Henna plant | Reddish-Brown |
In summary, natural dyes come from a variety of biological and geological sources, offering a diverse palette of colors for different applications.
