HERBALOOMS
A Herbal Dyeing Initiative by Fortuna Fabrics 🌿
Our Process🌿
At Herbalooms, we have reimagined the wisdom of ancient dyeing traditions through years of dedicated research. Our team of scholars carefully studied historical Ayurvedic textile practices, decoded their formulations, and standardized them into twelve exquisite natural shades with four distinct finishings:
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General wellness
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Anti-microbial
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Aromatic
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Sleep-enhancing
Unlike the modern textile industry, which often relies on synthetic and chemical-based methods that may harm both people and the planet, Herbalooms embraces a natural and holistic approach.
A key innovation we use is micro-encapsulation — a process where the active components of medicinal herbs are carefully encapsulated and integrated into the fabric. This technique, inspired by age-old traditions, ensures that the therapeutic properties of herbs remain bonded to the textiles, allowing their benefits to be experienced over time.
Through this art, Herbalooms by Fortuna Fabrics creates textiles that go beyond fashion — offering comfort, elegance, and holistic well-being. Every garment carries the essence of Ayurveda, blending ancient wisdom with modern craftsmanship.
Step into Herbalooms, and experience the transformative power of Ayurvedic textiles
1. Pre Processing(RFD)
2.Desizing
3.Scouring
Pre-processing is the essential first step in preparing fabrics for herbal dyeing. Natural fibers, especially cotton, often contain pectin (yellowish tinge), wax, and starch that are introduced during spinning and weaving. These impurities prevent proper absorption of natural dyes.
Through careful pre-processing, we gently remove these elements without the use of harsh chemicals, ensuring the fabric is clean, pure, and receptive — perfectly ready for the Ayurvedic dyeing process.
Desizing is the process of gently preparing fabrics by removing surface starches and other residues. At Herbalooms, we use natural surfactants such as plant-based cleansers instead of harmful chemicals.
The fabrics are immersed in this eco-friendly solution for up to 24 hours, allowing them to become fully saturated and release surface tension. This makes it easy for impurities to be lifted away, leaving the fabric clean, safe, and ready for the next stage of herbal dyeing.
Scouring is the step where deep-seated impurities are removed from the fabric. To achieve this, an alkaline solution is used — traditionally sourced from nature. In earlier times, people relied on wood ash or the residues left after banana cultivation as natural alkaline agents (pH above 9).
At Herbalooms, we honor this age-old wisdom by using safe, eco-friendly alkaline sources. The fabric or yarn is gently boiled in this solution, which washes away impurities and clears pectin from the fibers. This process ensures the textile is pure, absorbent, and perfectly prepared for herbal dyeing (RFD).
4.Selecting Shade Herbs
5.Selection of Natural Mordants
6.Preparation of Kashayam
The beauty of Ayurvedic dyeing begins with the careful selection of shade-giving herbs. These plants are chosen not only for their natural color but also for their unique properties that make each textile truly special.
Mordants are essential in the herbal dyeing process, as they help fix and enhance the shades on fabric. Depending on the desired outcome, they can be applied as:
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Pre-mordants – before dyeing, to prepare the fabric.
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Post-mother – after dyeing, to deepen or stabilize the color.
At Herbalooms, mordants are often incorporated directly into the dyeing process or while preparing the kashayam (herbal extract). We use only natural mordants sourced from plants and minerals.
Each mordant is measured with precision, using well-researched formulas and proportions, to ensure proper absorption. This care not only locks in the herbal shades beautifully but also preserves the skin-friendly and eco-conscious integrity of every Herbalooms textile.
What is the heart of Ayurvedic dyeing — a unique blend of live herbal extracts specially formulated for coloring and enriching textiles.
This aqueous extract is prepared by boiling water with carefully chosen herbs,15 different herbs are precisely measured and combined in a controlled process to create this powerful infusion.
Each herb is selected for its role — whether to provide vibrant shades, strengthen color fixation, or impart Ayurveda. The result is Kashayam: a living herbal decoction that transforms fabric into textiles filled with color, vitality, and holistic care.
7.Dyeing
Ayurvedic dyeing is a holistic and intricate process that brings together color, wellness, and tradition. Unlike synthetic methods, this approach uses only medicinal plants and natural ingredients, ensuring both beauty and well-being.
The process combines three groups of herbs:
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Shade herbs (which gives shades)
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Mordanting Herbs (myrobalam, jathi leaves)
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Ayurvedic Herbs (for Infusing Ayurvedic properties)..
Together, these elements transform simple fabrics into living textiles
8.Fixing and Softening
The final stage of Ayurvedic herbal dyeing ensures that each textile is both pure and comfortable to wear. After dyeing, the fabric is gently rinsed with pure water and treated once more with a natural surfactant solution, which removes any unfixed dye particles from the yarn or cloth.
Since naturally dyed fabrics can sometimes feel stiff, we restore their softness using herbal oils such as coconut oil and castor oil. This traditional method not only enhances the text of the fabric but also keeps the textile skin-friendly and eco-conscious.
The result is a fabric that feels as beautiful as it looks — soft, breathable, and infused with natural wellness.