Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) is a thistle-like plant that was widely grown from the Mediterranean across to China, as its flowers yield an attractive red dye*.…
Madder from powdered roots of Rubia tinctorum was the powerhouse red dye throughout medieval Europe and the Middle East. Madder has well-known affinity for protein…
Useful for vegetable-tanned leather only (also called bark tanned, oak tanned). The leather must contain tannin – this is a chemical found in most woody…