Myrobalan

The skin and pulp of the Myrobalan fruit are used. They are collected as they start turning yellow and ripe and are sun-dried. They are transported as whole fruits, crushed without the stones.

Myrobalan represents the most useful combined source of tannins and colourants. It gives a beige colour when used without a mordant. It was used industrially to dye blacks and greys with the use of iron mordant. It is used as an essential ingredient in pre-mordant red fibres and fabrics.

* Also can be used as Soap Making Colorant and Candle Making Colorant.

It occurs on a variety of soil, clayey as well as sandy. Fairly tolerant of frost and drought and withstands fire. Occurs naturally in the sub-Himalayan region of Nepal and northern India through Bruma, Thailand, Indochina and south China.