Ratanjot, Laljari

Alkannatinctoria, is native to the Mediterranean region. In Greece, A. tinctoria shows a strong genetic structure that has been shown to be mainly driven by neutral processes A. tinctoria has a bright blue flower. The plant has a dark red root of blackish appearance externally, but blue-red inside, with a whitish core. The root produces a fine red coloring material, which has been used as a dye in the Mediterranean region since antiquity. The root as a dyestuff is soluble in alcohol, ether, and the oils, but is insoluble in water. It is used to give colour to wines and alcoholic tinctures, to vegetable oils

It has been used as colorant for lipstick and rouge (cosmetics). In alkaline environments, alkanet dye has a blue color, with the color changing again to crimson on addition of an acid.The colour is red at pH 6.1, purple at 8.8 and blue at pH 10. Hence, it can be used to do alkali-acid litmus tests The coloring agent in A. tinctoria root has been chemically isolated and named alkannin.

It is small in height (grows to about 1 meter only) and comes with blue flowers and dark red roots In folk medicine, it is also used to treat abscesses and inflammations. Ratanjot Medicinal Properties:-Antioxidant, Anit-inflammatory, Anti-bacterial, Expectorant , Astringent, Diuretic, Demulcent, Anti-pyretic, Blood purifier, Vulnerary, Digestive, Anti-viral, For Hair & Skin, Ratanjot Oil For Skin Burn