Madder roots, from the Rubia tinctorum plant, produce a bright red dye that was once used for British soldiers’ uniforms. Madder lake, a pigment made from the roots, is more permanent and can be used to tint paints. The chemical compound responsible for the pigment, alizarin, was discovered in 1868 and replaced the need for madder roots. Today, madder root extract can still be used to make natural red dye and is also used for medicinal purposes.
Madder roots are obtained from the madder plant, scientifically known as Rubia tinctorum. These roots are best known for producing bright red dye. In the mid-19th century, however, this dye was replaced by a synthetic version. Madder root is also used for medicinal purposes.
Making a natural red dye is the best known use for madder roots. The madder plant has been used to make red madder dye since ancient times. Cloth dyed with this root has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs and in the lost city of Pompeii. British soldiers’ uniforms were also once dyed using madder root extract, earning them the nickname of redcoats.
Several materials can be dyed using madder root dye, including cotton, wool, silk, and even leather. The dye produced by madder roots is typically a bright red color. The outer layers of the roots, which are brown, usually produce a soft tinge of red. The inner layers, on the other hand, usually produce a brighter and more refined shade of red.
One of the red pigments obtained from madder roots was called madder lake. To make this pigment, the dried roots of the madder plant are ground up and mixed with clay. This mixture is then treated with ammonia and alum.
Madder lake is a more permanent pigment than previous dyes made from madder roots. The added alum is a mordant, which helps fix the color. This dye usually lasts much longer and can even be used to tint paints.
Chemists discovered that the chemical compound responsible for the bright red pigment was a substance called alizarin. This compound was only found in madder roots until 1868 when two German chemists were able to produce this compound from a coal tar. Since this was a much quicker and easier way to obtain alizarin, madder roots were no longer needed to make the tincture.
Today, individuals can still make a natural red dye from these roots. Madder root extract can be found in some art supply stores and on the Internet. Common madder can also be found growing wild in parts of Europe.
Madder roots were also a common herbal remedy for liver and kidney problems. This was often dipped in wine or water to help relieve jaundice, for example. Today, some people still use it to prevent kidney stones. Ingesting this plant can cause a person’s urine to turn red, but this side effect is usually harmless.
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