Alder Leaf Powder | Black Alder, Alnus glutinosa

What Is Alder Leaf Powder?

Alder leaf powder is made from the leaves of black alder (Alnus glutinosa), also called common or European alder, a tree of the birch family that grows along rivers, lakes and wet woodland across Europe, North Africa and western Asia. Its round, slightly sticky leaves stay green late into autumn, and the tree carries small woody cones that look like tiny pine cones.

The species name glutinosa means sticky and refers to the young leaves and buds, which are covered in a light resin. The leaves are collected, dried and milled into a fine green powder.

Alder has a long history in European folk tradition. Its leaves and bark were used as a natural dye: on their own they give yellow and tan tones, and with an iron mordant they produce greens, grays and even black. In the countryside, fresh alder leaves were also placed in shoes and used in warm foot baths after long days of walking.

Today alder leaf powder is used by natural dyers, makers of herbal bath and foot soak blends, and botanical crafters who value traditional tree leaf materials. The powder form dissolves easily in a dye bath and blends evenly into bath salts.

Our alder leaf powder contains only ground Alnus glutinosa leaves with nothing added. It is sold by weight, from small packs to bulk.