Eupatorium

Eupatorium (Latin: Eupatorium perfoliatum), also known as boneset, feverwort, or sweating plant, is recognized for its natural dyeing properties. Boneset produces an array of hues, ranging from various shades of yellow to brownish tones. When combined with iron or copper mordants and subjected to varying pH levels, it unveils a versatile palette, including earthy green shades. Eupatorium stands as a wonderful natural dye, imparting long-lasting, earthy shades to a wide range of fibers.

Name: eupatorium

Latin name: Eupatorium perfoliatum

Other names: boneset, feverwort, agueweed, sweating-plant

Type: mordant dye

Part of plant used: leaves

Colorants: various tannins and flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol

Main colors: warm yellow, orange

Other colors: brownish, khaki, olive, and moss green

Purpose: natural dye for textiles, leather, wood, candles, and other natural materials. Can be used for making botanical inks, pastels, watercolors, printing paste, etc. 

Dyeing with eupatorium:

• Use 20-40% WOF. You can use less for lighter shades and a bit more for darker shades.

• Add powdered leaves to the dyeing pot filled with water, and stir well.

• Raise temperature to 70-80°C and simmer for 1 hour. Let it cool. You may simmer longer for darker colors, such as brown.

• Strain through a fine cloth to keep small particles out of the dye bath.

• Fibers should be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before adding to the dye solution. For deepest colors use pre-mordanted fibers.

• Add wet fibers to the dye solution and simmer for 40-60 minutes depending on the shade you want. Leave to cool.

• For a wider color palette experiment with additional citric acid, cream of tartar, soda ash, or chalk.

• To widen your palette even more experiment with additional mordants - iron sulfate or various tannins. Iron and copper sulfates will bring out more green shades from the eupatorium.