Hematoxylin

Hematoxylin is a natural compound extracted from the heartwood of the logwood tree (Haematoxylum campechianum). It has a long history of use in biological sciences, primarily as a vital stain in histology. Hematoxylin specifically stains cell nuclei a deep blue or purple color, allowing detailed visualization of cellular morphology under a microscope. This staining technique, often combined with eosin (resulting in Hematoxylin and Eosin or H&E stain), is the gold standard for routine histological examination of tissues in various medical fields.