Natural dyes or organic dyes are colors that are extracted from natural resources surrounding our environment they are extracted from insects mineral components such as iron ore plant or parts of a plant muezart uses roots leaves flowers fruits and even seeds to naturally dye eri silk yarn with plants. There are many naturally occurring plants minerals and crustaceans from which you can extract color and produce natural dyes from soft pastel to strikingly rich natural colors your yarn or fabric will thank you for it as with everything in life some work better than others and produce stronger and longer lasting color. Roots nuts and flowers are just a few common natural ways to get many dye colors yellow orange blue red green brown and grey are available. Natural dyes can be sorted into three categories natural pigments obtained from plants natural pigments obtained from animals and natural pigments obtained from minerals many dyes require a mordant an element that combines with a dye and the fiber so that the dye is absorbed these dyes are referred to as adjective dyes those that dont require mordants are called substantive