Mimosa Tenuiflora Root Bark: Frequently Asked Questions

It is the dried inner bark from the roots of Mimosa tenuiflora, a tree native to northeastern Brazil and southern Mexico. The bark is rich in tannins and red-purple pigments, which is why it is used for natural dyeing, soap colouring and other crafts.

Yes. Mimosa hostilis is an older botanical name for Mimosa tenuiflora, and MHRB is short for Mimosa hostilis root bark. All three names refer to the same material.

They are common names for the same tree. Tepezcohuite is used in Mexico and jurema preta in Brazil.

Because of its tannin content. A 2022 study in the journal Revista Árvore measured 23.4% condensed tannins in the bark of the tree. Tannins bind to textile fibres and leather and react with iron to give dark colours. See what you can make.

The outer side is brown and the inner side is deep red-purple to purple-brown. Shredded bark is loose and fibrous; the powder is fine and purple-brown.

They are the same bark in three cuts. Whole bark is uncut strips and stores longest. Shredded bark is loose fibres that release colour faster and strain out easily. Powder is finely milled and gives the fastest colour. Compare the three forms.

Shredded bark. It gives up its colour in about an hour of gentle simmering and lifts out of the pot without leaving specks on the cloth.

Powder, because it blends straight into soap batter. Use shredded bark if you prefer to infuse oil for colour without speckle.

Yes. Break whole bark into small pieces, grind it in a mill or blender kept for craft use, and sieve it. Wear a dust mask.

No. Weight for weight they are the same material. Powder only releases its colour faster because more surface is exposed.

Mostly pinks, purples and reddish browns. The shade depends on the fibre, the amount of bark, the simmering time and any modifier such as iron.

Dyers work from the dry weight of the fibre: about 25% for a pale shade, 50% for medium and 100% for deep. For 200 g of fabric at a medium shade that is 100 g of bark. The dye quantity calculator does the sum for any weight.

Scour the fabric, simmer the bark in water for about an hour, strain, then keep the wet fabric in the warm bath for 45 to 60 minutes. The full method is in how to dye fabric with Mimosa tenuiflora root bark.

Not strictly. The bark carries its own tannin and will colour fibre without one. A mordant such as alum usually improves wash and light fastness.

Yes. Tannin-rich dyes bond well with plant fibres, which many other natural dyes struggle with.

Yes. Wool and silk generally take deeper shades than cotton from the same bath. Heat wool slowly and keep silk below about 85 °C (185 °F).

A small amount of ferrous sulfate reacts with the tannins and shifts the colour toward grey-violet and charcoal. Use it sparingly on wool and silk, because too much iron makes them brittle.

Usually yes. A second simmer of the same bark gives a paler bath, useful for lighter tones.

No. Synthetic fibres do not take natural dyes well. Use cotton, linen, wool or silk.

About one teaspoon per pound (454 g) of oils is a common starting point for botanical powders. Disperse it in a tablespoon of light oil and stir it in at light trace. See using root bark powder in soap making.

Usually between dusty rose and deep brown, with a light natural speckle. The purple tone of the raw powder shifts toward brown in the high pH of cold-process soap.

Yes. Use less, about a quarter to half a teaspoon per pound of base, mixed with a little glycerin first so it does not clump.

Cover shredded bark with a light oil in a dry jar, warm it gently for a few hours or leave it for a few weeks, then strain. The project planner gives the amounts for your quantity of oil.

Crafters use it as a plant-based colour and fine texture in dry clay mask blends and sugar scrubs. We make no health or skin-care claims for it. Always patch test, and do not use it on broken skin.

Under its botanical name, Mimosa tenuiflora bark.

Yes, and they depend on where you sell. In the United States, the FDA explains when a product counts as soap and when it is regulated as a cosmetic. Check the rules before you sell.

Yes, on vegetable-tanned leather. Simmer the bark, strain, let the liquid cool to lukewarm and soak the dampened leather until it reaches the shade you want. Amounts and steps are in the project planner.

Yes. Researchers at Embrapa in Brazil have studied the bark of this tree, known there as black jurema, as a vegetable tanning material for sheep hides. Full tanning of raw hides is a long process and is not covered by our guides.

Yes. Woodworkers brush a tannin-rich bark tea onto wood and follow it with an iron acetate solution, which reacts with the tannin and turns the surface dark. Test on an offcut first.

In an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Moisture is the main risk, so reseal packs straight after use.

Stored dry and dark it keeps its colour strength for a long time. Whole bark holds it longest because less surface is exposed to air and light. Powder is best kept airtight and used first.

Yes. Lab results and a certificate of analysis (COA) can be provided on request. Ask through the contact form before or after ordering.

No. It is 100% root bark with no fillers, dyes or anti-caking agents.

Look for a deep red-purple inner colour, a clean smell with no mustiness, no soil or stones, and, for powder, an even fine grind.

You can order whole, shredded or powdered root bark directly from our shop. Choose a form and a pack size from 500 g to 100 kg, place the order, and pay in Bitcoin using the address shown on the next page. Standard shipping is free and orders are dispatched within one business day after payment is confirmed. The bark is sold for craft use only.

Each form comes in 500 g, 1 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 20 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg packs. The price per kilogram falls as the pack size goes up. See the shop.

Yes. Orders over $200 get 20% off with the code DEAL20 at checkout.

Standard shipping is free and typically arrives in 2 to 3 business days. Overnight shipping is available for $20. Orders are dispatched within one business day after payment is confirmed. See the shipping policy.

No. At the moment we ship within the United States only, so we cannot send orders to the United Kingdom, Spain or other countries. If you are outside the US, please do not place an order, because we would not be able to dispatch it. Buyers are responsible for following the rules that apply where they live.

We ship to addresses across the United States with USPS, UPS or FedEx. Standard shipping is free and typically arrives in 2 to 3 business days; overnight shipping is available for $20. Orders are dispatched within one business day after your payment is confirmed, and we will tell you if a carrier delay affects your parcel.

Bitcoin (BTC) only at the moment. You can buy the Bitcoin with a card or bank account inside apps such as Cash App, PayPal or Coinbase.

Place your order, then follow our step-by-step Bitcoin payment guide. The order page shows the amount due, the address and a QR code to scan.

Email your order number and a screenshot of the completed payment to sales@mimosatenuifloraroot.com. Your tracking number is sent within 24 hours of the payment being confirmed.

Returns are accepted within 30 days for unused items in their original packaging. Details are in the returns and refund policy.

Use the contact form or email sales@mimosatenuifloraroot.com. We reply by email. Include your order number if you are writing about an order.

Only as a raw material for natural dyeing, soap making, leather and wood work, and cosmetic crafting. It is not sold for human consumption.

We sell it as a craft material and ship within the United States. Laws differ between countries and states, and buyers are responsible for following the rules that apply where they live. We do not answer questions about any other use.