A Brief Review on Haematoxylin: An Irreplaceable Tissue Stain

Abstract

Haematoxylin is the most popular nuclear counterstain used in routine histopathogical techniques for
staining tissues. It is derived from the tree Haematoxylum Campechianum (H.campechianum). The history
of haematoxylin reveals centuries of war, strife and discovery dating from the Mayans and Aztecs who
used it as an ink and fabric dye to the war resulting in the invasion of Mexico by European countries.
H.campechianum was later named as logwood and block wood by the invaders that used it to generate
haematoxylin crystals to be utilized in textile industry. The recognition to introduce haematoxylin as
biological stain goes to Waldeyer. But later Bohmer introduced the technique of coupling a mordant to the
dye making it colorfast and thus, haematoxylin remains a very unique and vital stain in histology till date.