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Medicinal & Therapeutic Herbs
Alkanna tinctoria (alkanet) root powder
Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch
Also known as: Alkanet, dyer's bugloss, alkanna, hava cıva, alkanet root.
Alkanet is the root of a Mediterranean plant, offered as a powder, and is a natural source of red pigment. It is supplied as a raw material for external use only: used to colour cosmetic preparations and oils, and in traditional healing salves. It is not intended for ingestion.
Shipping options
Last updated: October 2026
Our courier partners
We work with the following courier companies to ensure fast and reliable delivery:
- ACS Courier: delivery across Greece and to Cyprus
- ACS Smart Lockers: collection from automated parcel lockers
- ELTA Courier: delivery across Greece
- Box Now: collection from automated parcel lockers
- DHL: deliveries to EU countries
Dispatch and delivery times
When your order is dispatched
Most products are dispatched within 1–2 business days of order confirmation. For bank transfers, the time counts from receipt of payment. If a product is temporarily out of stock, dispatch may take 3–5 business days and we will notify you promptly.
Estimated delivery times
| Destination | Delivery time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Athens and major cities | 1–2 business days | |
| Regional areas | 1–3 business days | |
| Islands and remote areas | 2–5 business days | Subject to route schedules |
| EU countries (DHL) | usually 4–6 business days | Depending on the destination |
| Cyprus (ACS Courier) | 5–7 business days | From the departure of the ship |
Delivery times count from the day of dispatch. They are estimates and may be affected by circumstances beyond our control (strikes, adverse weather, etc.).
Delivery days
- Deliveries are made on business days (Monday–Friday).
- Saturday delivery: available on request, at an additional charge.
- Same-day delivery: available on request, at an additional charge.
- Delivery at a scheduled time: available on request, at an additional charge.
Shipping costs within Greece
Free shipping on orders over €49
On orders over €49, shipping is free for the first 3 kg. If your parcel is heavier, you keep the free shipping and pay only for the extra weight, at €1.50 per kg.
Orders up to €49
Free shipping does not apply to orders up to €49. Shipping starts from €3.50 for parcels up to 2 kg. The exact amount is calculated automatically at checkout, based on the courier, the weight and the destination, and is shown before you complete your order.
Tip: combine your purchases into a single order over €49 to get free shipping.
Cash on delivery
Paying by cash on delivery costs an extra €2.50, on top of the shipping cost.
Order tracking
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an SMS or e-mail with a tracking number so you can follow your parcel in real time.
Uncollected parcels
- ACS, ELTA: parcels are held at the courier's office for up to 7 days.
- Box Now: parcels are held in the locker for 48 hours.
- DHL (EU shipments): parcels are held at the local DHL office for a limited number of days. Please contact your local DHL office to confirm.
If you are unable to collect your parcel in time, please contact us and we will find a solution. If a parcel is returned to us without prior notice, the outbound and return shipping costs are charged to the customer. See our Returns Policy for details.
Shipping to the European Union and Cyprus
We ship to all European Union countries with DHL, from €18 (Cyprus and Malta from €20). For Cyprus you can also choose ACS Courier (from €9.60). The exact cost is shown at checkout, before you pay.
On EU orders over €200, shipping is free for the first 2 kg and you pay only for the extra weight.
Since all shipments travel within the European Union, there are no customs duties or import charges.
Full details on our International Orders — European Union page.
Contact us about shipping
- E-mail: info@yperikon.gr
- Phone: (+30) 2610 221354
- Opening hours (Greek time): Mon, Wed, Sat 9:00–14:00 · Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00–14:00 & 18:00–21:00 · Sunday closed
Shipping and Delivery · International Orders — European Union
Payment methods
PAYMENT METHODS
Last updated: May 2026
All products, prices, and shipping terms are confirmed in your order confirmation e-mail. Payment is made before delivery and can be completed using one of the following methods:
1. CREDIT / DEBIT CARD
We accept Visa and Mastercard (credit and debit cards) with full security via Piraeus Bank / Epay. No additional charge.
• Google pay/Apple pay
• SSL encryption — your card details are never stored on our systems
• Instant order confirmation
• No additional fees
2. CASH ON DELIVERY
Pay in cash directly to the courier representative upon delivery. A service fee of €2.50 applies.
Available for deliveries within Greece only.
3. BANK TRANSFER
After placing your order, please wait for our e-mail confirmation of product availability. Then transfer the total amount to one of the following accounts:
Bank | IBAN | Account No. |
National bank | GR3201108360000083600252080 | 836 0025 2080 |
Alpha Bank | GR3901405300530002101442697 | 530002101442697 |
Eurobank | GR2002606720000990200149181 | 0026067299 0200149181 |
Piraeus | GR9401725070005507082823498 | 5507082823498 |
Bank IBAN Account No.
Εθνική Τράπεζα GR3201108360000083600252080 836 0025 2080
Alpha Bank GR3901405300530002101442697 530002101442697
Eurobank GR2002606720000990200149181 0026067299 0200149181
Πειραιώς GR9401725070005507082823498 5507082823498
Account holder: ANASTASOPULOS VASSILIOS
•No additional charge for transfers from the same bank
•Transfers from a different Greek bank may incur standard inter-bank transfer fees (e-banking)
•Transfers from a bank outside Greece: an additional fee of €4.00 applies, to be added by the buyer to the total amount transferred
•We recommend notifying us by e-mail (info@yperikon.gr) once the transfer is made, including the date and bank used — this helps us dispatch your order faster
4. IRIS PAYMENTS
You can pay instantly via IRIS using our Tax ID (AFM):
Tax ID (AFM): 104130231
IRIS Payments enables instant bank-to-bank transfers at no charge.
Note: Bank transfer and IRIS Payments are available for orders within Greece only. For EU orders, please use card payment at checkout.
Send us a message and we reply within one working day. Or call us on (+30) 2610 221354 during shop hours.
Send a message(+30) 2610 221354What it is
Alkanet is the root of a Mediterranean plant, offered as a powder, and is a natural source of red pigment. It is supplied as a raw material for external use only: used to colour cosmetic preparations and oils, and in traditional healing salves. It is not intended for ingestion. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic.
Key properties
The root is characterised as a colourant, astringent and wound-healing in topical application. The colour comes from alkannin, a naphthoquinone soluble in fats and alcohol but not in water — which is why dyeing always uses an oily or alcoholic base. That same compound and its derivatives have been studied for their action in wound healing. The root has also shown free radical scavenging activity, suggesting possible anti-ageing effects in topical use.
Uses
Who it is for
For anyone making cosmetics with a natural colourant — oils, salves, lip colour, soaps — and for those interested in the traditional topical use on skin wounds, acne and eczema.
How it is commonly used
The classic use is colouring vegetable oils: the powder is left in oil, which takes on a deep red to purple colour and is then worked into salves, balms or soaps. Traditionally the dye root was also used for wood, textiles and to colour drinks and wine — uses that no longer apply today, because of the alkaloids.
Preparation and application
Coloured oil
The powder is added to vegetable oil and left in a dark place until the colour develops. The oil is then strained well so no particulate root material carries into the final preparation. Intensity is controlled by ratio and time.
Solubility note
The pigment does not dissolve in water. In aqueous preparations it gives no colour; an oily or alcoholic base is required.
Precautions
External use only. The root contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic and cumulative. The traditional internal use for diarrhoea and gastric ulcers is historically documented but contraindicated: it is not taken by mouth, neither as an infusion nor in preparations. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the root are substrates for the cytochrome P450 3A4 isoenzyme, so they can affect drug metabolism.
Absolute avoidance in pregnancy and breastfeeding, even externally over large areas. Not applied to open wounds or extensively damaged skin, where absorption increases. Patch test a small area before first use. The powder stains skin, clothing and surfaces strongly. Not given to children.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be taken by mouth?
No. The root contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are hepatotoxic and cumulative. It is supplied strictly as a raw material for external use.
Why does it not colour water?
Because alkannin is soluble in fats and alcohol, not water. An oily or alcoholic base is needed for the colour to develop.
How is the red oil made?
The powder sits in vegetable oil in a dark place until the colour develops, then the oil is strained well. Intensity is controlled by the ratio and the steeping time.
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