Ratanjot is the common name of a plant in India, almost certainly in the Boraginaceae family, that has medicinal properties and also yields a red dyestuff that is used in foods, cosmetics etc. The plant is commonly traded in markets through much of India. Arnebia speciosa Aitch. & Hemsl. (syn Arnebia nobilis) is probably the main source of ratanjot, though at least 15 different species share this common name and many of these also have medicinal uses and supply a similar red dye. Onosma hispida Wall. ex G.Don (often wrongly referred to as Onosma echioides) is probably often also used as a source of ratanjot and the following species in Boraginaceae are likely to be also used at times:- Alkanna tinctoria L.; Arnebia benthamii (Wall. ex G.Don) I.M.Johnst.; Arnebia euchroma (Royle) I.M.Johnst.; Arnebia hispidissima (Sieber ex Lehm.) A.DC.; Maharanga emodi (Wall.) DC.; and Onosma hookeri C.B.Clarke[].

Common Name:

General Information

Arnebia euchroma is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from thick roots that can be up to 2cm in diameter. The plant produces a cluster of basal leaves and one to many flowering stems up to 50cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of dyestuff, possibly also as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Asia - Kazakhstan, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, through the Himalayas to central Nepal.

Habitat

Open slopes and rocks, only in the drier areas of the Himalayas; at elevations from 3,300 - 4,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a well-drained gritty soil and a sunny position, growing well in the rock garden, or on a dry wall[].

Edible Uses

Root[]. No further details are given.

Medicinal

The root is antipyretic, cancer, contraceptive, emollient and vulnerary[]. It is used in the treatment of measles, mild constipation, burns, frostbite, eczema, dermatitis etc[, ].
The roots are bruised and applied to eruptions[].

Experimentally the root has shown contraceptive action on rats, inhibiting oestrus, the fertility rate and the release of pituitary gonadotrophin hormone and chorion gonadotrophin hormone[]. It inhibits the growth of cancer cells on the chorion membrane[].

The root contains shikonin, an antitumour and bactericidal compound[]. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of a range pf bacteria including E. Coli, Bacillus typhi, B. Dysenteriae, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus[]. Shikonin also promotes the healing of wounds on topical application[].

Other Uses

The root contains a copious purple dye[, ]. The thick roots are up to 2cm in diameter[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 8 weeks at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. It is best to harvest the seed when it is slightly under-ripe, since it is quickly dispersed when ripe[].
Cuttings with a heel in the autumn in sand in a cold frame[].
Root cuttings in sand in a frame during the winter[].