eyelash growth

photo by madaboutasia on Flickr

Humans have used plant-derived dyes, to paint the skin or dye fabric, for thousands of years.

Celts and Britons carried a fearsome reputation because of the blue face paint they would wear into battle. this blue colouring came from the leaves of woad (Isatis tinctoria). this same plant was also used by British police officers, centuries later, to dye their uniforms blue.

The idea of dying the skin is still very prominent today, in the form of henna temporary tattoos. Henna dye is used to make patterns on the skin, which will later wash off, unlike normal tattoos.

Traditionally henna (Lawsonia inermis) held many spiritual and ritual implications. the Berbers of North Africa used it as a black dye to paint the faces of the dead. Similarly, the ancient Egyptians used henna to dye black the cloth that was used to wrap dead bodies. Indians still use henna in bridal ceremonies and other celebrations.

The plant produces highest content of the plant-dye compound when grown in high temperatures. this is why henna is commonly associated with regions of North Africa and Southern Asia. Lawsone, the active pigment, reacts with protein in the skin and causes staining of the skin, lasting from a few days to months.

Find out more about plant dyes and all the different uses of them at the Natural Chemists day on April 9th at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Colours to dye for…