Quick answers about ordering, paying with Bitcoin, delivery, our Mimosa hostilis root bark and dried herbs, and how to use them in dye, soap and craft projects. Search for a word or jump to a section.
Ordering and payment
How do I place an order with Mimosa Root Shop?
Add the products you want to your cart, go to checkout, choose a delivery option and place the order. The next page shows the amount due, our Bitcoin address and a QR code. Once your payment is confirmed on the Bitcoin network, we process and ship the order.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept Bitcoin (BTC) only. We do not take credit cards, PayPal balances or bank transfers directly. If you have never used Bitcoin, our step-by-step payment guide shows how to buy and send it with apps you may already have.
How do I pay if I have never used Bitcoin?
You can buy Bitcoin and send it from Cash App, PayPal or an exchange such as Coinbase. Place your order first so you know the exact amount, then follow our guide to paying with Bitcoin. Allow extra time on your first purchase for identity checks.
How long do I have to pay after ordering?
Payment must arrive within 48 hours of placing the order. If we have not received it by then, the order is cancelled and you would need to order again. The full rules are in our payment policy.
How do I confirm that I have paid?
After sending the Bitcoin, email your payment confirmation and order number to the address shown on your order page. We check the payment on the Bitcoin network, then email you to confirm it before the order moves on to shipping.
Do you have a discount code?
Yes. Code MHRB23 takes 10% off any order of $100 or more. Newsletter subscribers also receive WELCOME20, which takes 20% off one order. The two codes cannot be combined on the same order.
Can I order in bulk?
Yes. Mimosa hostilis root bark is listed in packs up to 100 kg, and you can order them straight from the product pages. For anything larger, or for a regular supply, contact us with the form and quantity you need.
Do you provide lab results or a certificate of analysis?
Yes. Lab results and a certificate of analysis (COA) are available on request. Contact us and tell us which product you are interested in.
Shipping and delivery
Where do you ship?
We ship to addresses in the United States only. We cannot deliver to PO boxes or to APO and FPO addresses, so please give a street address at checkout.
How much does shipping cost?
Delivery in 2 to 3 business days costs $10 and overnight delivery costs $20. Orders of $200 or more qualify for free overnight shipping. You choose the option at checkout.
How quickly do you ship after I pay?
We typically process and ship orders within one business day of receiving your payment. Delivery time then depends on the option you chose at checkout.
Which carriers do you use?
Orders go out with USPS, UPS or FedEx. The carrier depends on your address and the delivery option you select.
Will I get a tracking number?
Yes. We send you a tracking number once your order has shipped, so you can follow the parcel with the carrier.
Are delivery times guaranteed?
No. The delivery times are estimates. Carriers sometimes run late for reasons outside our control, such as weather or peak periods. Details are in our shipping policy.
Returns and problems with an order
What is your return policy?
You can return a product within 30 days of purchase if it is unopened and in its original condition. Contact us first for a return authorisation number. You pay the return shipping, and the refund is issued within 5 to 7 business days after we receive and inspect the item. See the full return policy.
Can I return a product I have opened?
No. For safety and hygiene reasons we cannot accept returns of products that have been opened or used.
What should I do if my order arrives damaged?
Contact us straight away. We may ask for photos of the damage, and we will arrange a replacement or a refund.
Mimosa hostilis root bark
What forms of Mimosa hostilis root bark do you sell?
We sell three forms: powder, shredded and whole. Powder releases colour fastest and goes straight into soap. Shredded bark strains cleanly out of a dye bath. Whole bark keeps longest in storage and can be broken up when needed.
Which form should I buy for my first project?
For a first dye bath, choose shredded bark because it is easy to strain and makes little dust. For soap, choose powder because it mixes straight into the batter. The project planner picks the form for you once you choose a project.
Are tepezcohuite, jurema preta and MHRB the same thing?
Yes. They are different names for the root bark of the same tree, Mimosa tenuiflora, which was formerly classified as Mimosa hostilis. Tepezcohuite is the Mexican name, jurema preta the Brazilian one, and MHRB is an abbreviation. Our guide on names, origins and uses explains more.
How should I store root bark?
Keep it in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Powder has the largest surface area, so it is the most sensitive to moisture and light. Whole bark is the most stable for long storage.
Is your root bark sold for human consumption?
No. We sell it only as a raw material for natural dyeing, soap making and cosmetic formulation. We do not sell it for eating, drinking or any medical use, and we do not give advice on those uses.
Is Mimosa hostilis root bark legal to buy?
We ship to addresses in the United States and sell the bark only as a craft material for dye, soap and cosmetic projects. Rules differ between states and countries and can change, so you are responsible for checking the rules where you live before you order.
Why does the colour differ from one batch to the next?
Root bark is a natural material. Its colour strength changes with the tree, the harvest and how the bark was dried and milled. For that reason, test each new batch on a small sample before a full project.
Natural dyeing with root bark
What colours does Mimosa hostilis root bark give?
On wool and silk it gives shades from soft pink and mauve to deep purple-brown, depending on how much bark you use. Iron shifts those shades towards grey and charcoal. Cotton and linen usually come out lighter than wool from the same bath.
How much root bark do I need to dye fabric?
Dyers measure bark against the dry weight of the fibre: about 50 g per 100 g of fibre for a light shade, 75 g for medium and 100 g for deep. The dye calculator works it out for any weight in grams, ounces or pounds.
Do I need a mordant with Mimosa hostilis?
A mordant is strongly recommended because it helps the colour last. For wool and silk, dyers use alum at 10 to 15% of the fibre weight. Cotton and linen need a different mordant routine, so follow the method your mordant supplier gives for plant fibres.
Which fabrics can I dye with root bark?
Natural fibres only: wool, silk, cotton and linen. Synthetic fibres such as polyester do not take up plant dyes. Blends dye unevenly, because only the natural part of the yarn absorbs colour.
Can I use root bark on wood, paper or leather?
Yes. Simmer 50 to 100 g of bark per litre of water, strain it and brush or dip the material, building colour in thin coats. For leather, see our guide to dyeing leather with whole root bark.
How do I get grey or charcoal shades?
Dye the fibre first, then dip it briefly in a separate bath containing iron (ferrous sulphate) at about 1 to 2% of the fibre weight. The colour shifts within minutes. Use the smallest amount that works, because too much iron makes fibre harsh.
Can I reuse a dye bath?
Often, yes. A bath that has given a deep shade usually still holds colour, and a second batch of fibre will come out paler. Dyers call this an exhaust bath.
Will root bark stain my pots and worktops?
It can. Use a stainless steel or enamel pot kept only for dyeing, wear gloves and cover surfaces. Our guide to handling the powder safely covers dust and stain prevention.
Soap making and cosmetic bases
How much root bark powder do I add to cold-process soap?
Use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of powder per pound of oils, which is roughly 5 to 10 g per 500 g. Mix the powder into a little light oil first, then stir it in at light trace. Start low; you can add more in the next batch.
How much powder do I add to melt-and-pour soap?
Use up to 1 teaspoon per pound of soap base, about 5 g per 500 g. Mix it into a tablespoon of isopropyl alcohol first so it blends without clumps. More than that can leave colour on the lather.
What colour does root bark powder give in soap?
It gives pink-brown to deep brown tones with a light speckle, and the colour deepens as cold-process bars cure. Our beginner guide to soap making with the powder shows the method.
How do I colour soap without speckles?
Infuse some of your soap oils with shredded bark instead of adding powder. Use 1 part bark to 5 parts oil, leave it warm for four to six weeks or heat it gently for a few hours, strain it and use the coloured oil in your recipe.
How do I make a balm with root bark?
Infuse a carrier oil with the bark, strain it, then melt in beeswax at about 1 part wax to 8 parts oil. The project planner gives the exact amounts for the quantity of balm you want.
Do you have recipes for creams or lotions?
No. Products that contain water need a preservative system and safety testing, which goes beyond a simple recipe. We only publish quantities for soap, infused oils and water-free balms.
Dried herbs
Which dried herbs do you stock?
Alongside the root bark we stock yerba mate, mugwort, wormwood, catnip, valerian root, Mexican tarragon, damiana, ginkgo leaf, gotu kola, sutherlandia, catuaba bark, muira puama bark, kola nut, guarana, maca, ashwagandha, clavo huasca, Panax ginseng root and mucuna beans. See them all in herbs and roots.
Do you give advice on how to take or use herbs for health?
No. Our herbs are sold as dried botanical products and we make no health claims about them. We do not give amounts for eating or drinking them. If you are pregnant, nursing or taking medication, speak to a qualified professional before using any herb.
Which herbs work well in drawer sachets?
Mugwort, wormwood, catnip, Mexican tarragon and damiana are all leafy herbs that suit sachets. Use about 3 tablespoons of fully dried herb in each small cloth bag and tie it firmly closed.
How much catnip or valerian goes in a cat toy?
One to two tablespoons of dried herb per toy, with stuffing to fill the rest. Catnip is the usual choice, and many cats respond to valerian root in a similar way. Not every cat reacts, so try one toy first.
Can I dye fabric with dried herbs?
Yes. Dried leaves and barks are usually used at 100 to 200% of the dry fibre weight, so 100 to 200 g of herb for 100 g of fibre. Yerba mate tends to give green-yellow tones. Most others give soft yellows, tans and browns, so test a sample.
Can I add dried herbs to soap?
Yes. Grind the herb finely and use about 1 teaspoon per pound of oils or soap base. Larger pieces feel scratchy and can discolour. Most green herbs turn tan or brown in the finished bar.
How should I store dried herbs?
Keep them in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Scent and colour fade faster in heat, light and humidity, so close the pack tightly after each use.
Tools and guides
What is the project planner?
The project planner is a free tool on our site. You choose a material, a project and a batch size, and it tells you how much you need, which pack to order and gives you step-by-step instructions to download or print.
What does the dye calculator do?
The dye calculator works out how much root bark, alum and water you need for a given weight of fabric or yarn. It accepts grams, ounces and pounds and lets you set your own strength.
Where can I find your how-to guides?
All our articles are in the guides section. They cover dyeing fabric and leather, soap making, choosing between whole, shredded and powdered bark, storage and safe handling.
Products and pack sizes at a glance
This table is read from our catalogue, so it always shows the forms and pack sizes you can order today.
Still have a question? Contact us and we will answer by email.