Skip to product information
Symplocos Racemosa (Organic)
$8.40
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Pickup available at eHouse Rishon
Usually ready in 24 hours
Want exact recipes and step-by-step natural dyeing? Try our new Dye Guide.
Try the Dye Guide free for 3 daysReliable shipping
Flexible returns
Description
Also known as lodh, lodhra, plant alum, Symplocos racemosa.
Symplocos Bark Powder — Plant-Based Aluminium Mordant
Symplocos is a remarkable natural mordanting material and a true alternative to alum.
Like club moss, the symplocos tree is a bio-accumulator of aluminium. Its powdered bark can replace aluminium sulfate in traditional dye recipes, allowing you to create 100% plant-based, long-lasting colors.
Used before natural dyeing or eco-printing, symplocos improves light-fastness and wash-fastness, while offering a more organic and historically grounded approach to mordanting.
Please note: some dyes — especially madder and logwood — will produce different shades compared to results achieved with regular alum. This is part of the unique character of symplocos.
How to Use
Because many variables influence the strength of symplocos, there is no single fixed recipe. Fiber type, fabric thickness, water quality, and heating time all affect the outcome.
Recommended Amount (WOF)
20–100% WOF (Weight of Fiber)
This range may sound broad, but it reflects real working conditions.
As a practical starting point:
→ Begin with 50% WOF, then adjust as you gain experience.
General guidelines:
-
Silk needs less than cotton
-
Thick or dense fabrics need more than thin ones
-
Longer heating produces a stronger mordant
Water Quality
Use soft water whenever possible.
If your water is very hard:
-
Add Calgon, or
-
Add 0.5 g cream of tartar per liter of water
Mordant Bath Preparation
-
Add symplocos powder to water
-
Heat and boil for at least 30 minutes
-
The powder will sink to the bottom of the pot
If dyeing yarns:
→ Filter the liquid before use to prevent gritty particles from lodging in the fibers.
Fiber Instructions
Silk
-
Pre-wet fiber
-
Heat in the filtered mordant liquid for 90 minutes at 70 °C
-
Do not exceed this temperature, prolonged high heat may damage silk
-
Rinse in tepid water
The fabric may appear pale yellow, this disappears after dyeing.
Cotton
-
Boil cotton together with the mordant liquid for 30 minutes
-
Rinse in tepid water
A pale yellow tone may appear and will disappear after dyeing.
Reuse
A symplocos mordant bath can be reused once, producing lighter results.
Safety & handling
For textile dyeing and craft use only. Not for food, cosmetic, medical or household-cleaning use.
- This is a finely divided botanical powder. Avoid breathing dust and avoid contact with eyes.
- Natural materials may cause sensitivity in some people. Stop use if irritation or an allergic reaction occurs.
- Keep the powder dry and discard spent plant material according to local rules.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Avoid creating or breathing dust. Measure carefully in a well-ventilated work area and use suitable respiratory protection for fine particulates when dust cannot be avoided.
- Wear suitable protective gloves, protective clothing and eye protection. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke while using this product. Use dedicated tools and containers that will never be used for food.
- Store tightly closed, dry, clearly labelled and away from food, drink and incompatible materials.
- Eyes: Rinse cautiously with clean water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if easy to do and continue rinsing. Seek urgent medical advice for persistent irritation, pain or impaired vision.
- Swallowed or inhaled: Move to fresh air after inhalation. If swallowed, rinse the mouth and contact a poison centre or medical professional; do not induce vomiting unless instructed.
Important: Follow the package label and the current Safety Data Sheet for the exact product. Formal hazard classification can depend on chemical form, hydration, purity and composition. For the latest safety documentation, contact info@naturaldyestore.com.
Seller and safety contact: Natural Dye Store, Derech HaMaccabim 58, Rishon LeZion, Israel · info@naturaldyestore.com