Alkanet root, better known as Ratan Jot, is traditionally used to add colour to Indian food. It is the original natural food colouring that gives the famous Kashmiri dish Rogan Josh its signature red colour. Kashmiri Pandits use a dried herb called Ratan Jot to add a pleasing red colour to their dishes. This spice was originally used in many much-loved Indian dishes such as Rogan Josh and Tandoori Chicken. It is an herb that one rarely comes across now, after the advent of synthetic food colours. Along with Kashmiri chilies which are red and appear flaming hot in appearance but lack pungency, Ratan Jot provides many Kashmiri and Punjabi dishes their dashing good looks! Alkanet root is soluble in alcohol, ether and oils, but is insoluble in water. Therefore, fry approximately a teaspoonful of Ratan Jot in 2-3 tablespoons of warm oil (ghee is a better option for superior flavour). When the liquid turns a deep red, strain it using a metal sieve, keeping the oil and discarding the Ratan Jot. This oil or ghee will turn your curries a natural flaming red, without the heat of course!
BENEFITS OF RATANJOT
1. Has Anti Ageing Properties:
Since ratanjot is rich in antioxidants, it has anti ageing properties. Using antioxidant rich ingredients on our skin and hair is key to preventing free radical damage. Since ratanjot releases it’s dye into the oil, using ratanjot oil for external application in the form of massage oil or in face packs is very effective for preventing premature ageing of our skin.
2. Helps Heal Wounds:
Ratanjot is an amazing wound healer, it has been used for treating wounds from ancient times. This is due to the presence of alkannins in ratanjot. You can read the study that supports this claim here. We also get ointments for treating burns in which ratanjot extract has been added.
3. Reduces Inflammation:
Ratanjot also has anti inflammatory properties making it one of the best ingredients to use for skin care. When we apply ratanjot externally on our skin, it greatly helps reduce inflammation.
4. Antimicrobial Properties:
Ratanjot has been traditionally used to treat all skin and scalp infections very effectively including acne, dandruff and all skin infections. This is because ratanjot has amazing anti microbial properties. Traditionally ratanjot is mixed with coconut oil and applied for treating all scalp and hair problems. Creams made with ratanjot, beeswax and olive oil can be used to treat burns very effectively.
5. Antioxidant Properties:
Ratanjot also has antioxidant properties and using antioxidant rich ingredients for external application is one of the best ways to get glowing skin. The antioxidant effect of ratanjot also has been proven through research.
6. Anti Cancer Properties:
Naphthoquinones are the main active compounds of ratanjot and they have been proven to have powerful anti cancer properties.
7. Ratanjot for fever and headaches
Ratanjot is beneficial in reducing the feeling of fever and headaches. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances in Ratanjot have a cooling and calming effect on the body, and therefore, it aids in the recovery processes. It helps induce sweating and can thus help bring down your body temperature during fever.
8. Ratanjot for Sleeping Disorders
According to traditional medicine experts, the essential Ratanjot oil extracted from Alkanet roots helps tackle insomnia and other sleeping disorders. Experts suggest applying Ratanjot oil on the head and around the nose area as they help you relax and calm yourself, thus improving your sleep quality.
9. Ratanjot for Hair
There are several benefits of Ratanjot for hair. Ratanjot or Alkanet can act as a natural dye for your hair. It helps restore and strengthen your hair from the roots. You can use Ratanjot powder for grey hair, as it provides natural color to hair. Ratanjot oil extracted from the roots can address various hair problems such as profuse hair fall, grey hair and avoid symptoms of baldness.
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