Himalayan Rhubarb is a traditional natural dye obtained from the dried and powdered roots of Rheum emodi, a rhubarb species native to the Himalayan region. This product is supplied as raw plant powder rather than a concentrated extract, making it ideal for natural dyers who enjoy working directly with botanical dye materials.
Himalayan Rhubarb is valued for its beautiful range of warm, earthy colours. Depending on the fibre, mordant, concentration and dyeing conditions, it can produce shades ranging from golden yellow and mustard through to warm orange, tan, caramel and earthy brown.
The naturally occurring tannins and colouring compounds in the root make Himalayan Rhubarb an interesting and versatile addition to the natural dyer's palette. Different mordants and modifiers can significantly alter the finished colour, making it particularly rewarding for experimentation.
Key Features
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Natural dye made from powdered Himalayan Rhubarb root
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Botanical name: Rheum emodi
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Supplied as raw plant powder – not a concentrated extract
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Produces beautiful golden yellow, mustard and warm earthy shades
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Can produce orange, tan, caramel and brown tones depending on dyeing conditions
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Suitable for wool, silk, cotton, linen and other natural fibres
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Particularly attractive on protein fibres such as wool and silk
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Responds well to mordants and modifiers, allowing a broader range of shades
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Useful for natural dyeing, botanical dyeing and textile experimentation
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A wonderful choice for creating warm, natural and earthy colour palettes
Dyeing with Himalayan Rhubarb
As this is a raw plant powder rather than an extract, a greater percentage WOF (weight of fibre) is generally required than would be used with a concentrated dye extract.
For a medium shade, approximately 50–100% WOF is a useful starting range. Lighter shades can be achieved with less material, while higher concentrations may be used for stronger and deeper colours.
The powder can be soaked before dyeing and then gently heated in water to extract the colour. Straining the extracted dye liquor before adding the fibre can help prevent fine plant particles becoming caught in the fabric or yarn.
The same plant material may also retain some colour after the first extraction, so a second extraction can be worthwhile when making lighter shades.
Mordants & Colour Modification
Himalayan Rhubarb can be used with traditional natural-dye mordanting techniques. Alum is a good choice where clear yellow and golden shades are desired.
The use of Iron as a modifier can dramatically deepen and sadden the colour, shifting the brighter yellow tones towards earthy olive, khaki, brown and darker muted shades.
Because natural fibres respond differently, experimenting with mordants and modifiers can produce a particularly interesting range of colours from Himalayan Rhubarb.
Colour Range
Depending on fibre, mordant and dyeing method, Himalayan Rhubarb may produce:
Perfect For
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Natural dyeing of wool and silk
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Dyeing cotton, linen and other cellulose fibres
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Creating warm golden and earthy colour palettes
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Botanical and plant-based textile dyeing
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Experimenting with Iron and other natural-dye modifiers
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Hand-dyed yarns, scarves, fabrics and fibres
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Natural dye sample books and colour studies
Himalayan Rhubarb is an excellent natural dye for anyone who enjoys the variation and character of raw botanical dye materials. Its ability to produce both warm golden shades and deeper earthy colours makes it a particularly versatile addition to a natural dye collection.
Botanical Name: Rheum emodi
Plant Part: Root
Form: Raw Powder
WOF: Weight of Fibre
Please Note: Natural dyes will produce variations in colour depending on the fibre, mordant, water quality, quantity of dye material, extraction method, temperature and dyeing conditions. We recommend carrying out a small test before dyeing larger quantities.
For textile and craft use only. Not intended for consumption.
