Manjistha
Manjistha
Manjisth or Indian Madder is considered to be one of the best blood-purifying herbs. It cools and detoxifies the blood and dissolves obstructions in the blood flow. Manjisth has healing, antioxidant and astringent properties. These properties help to manage bleeding gums, diarrhea and dysentery. Manjisth also promotes skin luster, improves discolored and injured skin and is also known as an artificial coloring agent[2-6].
What are the synonyms of Manjistha?
Rubia cordifolia, Indian Madder, Manjishtha, Samanga, Vikasa, Yojanavalli, Jingi, Lohitalata, Bhandiri, Raktanga, Vastrabhushana, Kalameshi, Lata, Manjeeth, Manjitti, Tamravalli, Raktamanjishte, Manjetti, Phuvva, Runas
What is the source of Manjistha?
Plant Based
Benefits of Manjistha
1. Skin disease
Manjistha is one of the most useful herbs to manage all types of skin disorders. An imbalanced Pitta dosha vitiates the blood and impairs its normal functioning. This causes skin problems like redness. Manjistha helps to purify the blood and treats all type of skin disorders. This is due to its Pitta balancing and Raktashodhak (blood purifier) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Manjistha powder.
b. Swallow it with honey or water after taking lunch and dinner to get rid of the symptoms of skin disease.
2. Diarrhea
Manjistha is very useful to manage diarrhea. Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Taking Manjistha helps to control diarrhea. This is because it improves digestive fire due to its Deepan (appetizer) Pachan (digestive) properties. This makes the stool thick and reduces the frequency of motion. Manjistha also controls bleeding because of its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Manjistha powder.
b. Swallow it with honey or water after taking lunch and dinner to get rid of the symptoms of diarrhea.
Manjistha is one of the most useful herbs to manage all types of skin disorders. An imbalanced Pitta dosha vitiates the blood and impairs its normal functioning. This causes skin problems like redness. Manjistha helps to purify the blood and treats all type of skin disorders. This is due to its Pitta balancing and Raktashodhak (blood purifier) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Manjistha powder.
b. Swallow it with honey or water after taking lunch and dinner to get rid of the symptoms of skin disease.
2. Diarrhea
Manjistha is very useful to manage diarrhea. Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Taking Manjistha helps to control diarrhea. This is because it improves digestive fire due to its Deepan (appetizer) Pachan (digestive) properties. This makes the stool thick and reduces the frequency of motion. Manjistha also controls bleeding because of its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Manjistha powder.
b. Swallow it with honey or water after taking lunch and dinner to get rid of the symptoms of diarrhea.
Precautions when using Manjistha
Advice from Experts
Important
Ayurvedic View
Consult your doctor before taking Manjistha if you have hyperacidity or gastritis.
Breastfeeding
Ayurvedic View
Consult your doctor before taking Manjistha during breastfeeding.
Pregnancy
Ayurvedic View
Consult your doctor before taking Manjistha during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Manjistha
- Manjistha Churna - ¼ - ½ teaspoon twice a day
- Manjistha Capsule - 1-2 capsules twice a day
- Manjistha Tablet - 1-2 tablets twice a day
How to use Manjistha
1. Manjistha Churna
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Manjistha Churna.
b. Swallow it with honey or water after taking lunch and dinner.
2. Manjistha Capsule
a. Take 1-2 capsule of Manjistha.
b. Swallow it with water after taking lunch and dinner.
3. Manjistha Tablets
a. Take 1-2 tablets of Manjistha.
b. Swallow it with water after taking lunch and dinner.
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Manjistha Churna.
b. Swallow it with honey or water after taking lunch and dinner.
2. Manjistha Capsule
a. Take 1-2 capsule of Manjistha.
b. Swallow it with water after taking lunch and dinner.
3. Manjistha Tablets
a. Take 1-2 tablets of Manjistha.
b. Swallow it with water after taking lunch and dinner.
Benefits of Manjistha
FAQs about Manjistha benefits
1. Wound healing
Manjistha helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. A paste of Manjistha powder with coconut oil helps in quick healing and reduces inflammation. This is due to its Ropan (healing) and Pitta balancing properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of Manjistha powder or as per your requirement.
b. Add coconut oil and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area.
d. Leave at least 4-5 hours for quick wound healing.
2. Skin disease
Manjistha or its oil helps to control the symptoms of skin disease like eczema when applied on the affected area. Some of the symptoms of eczema are rough skin, blisters, inflammation, itchiness and bleeding. Applying Manjistha or its oil reduces inflammation and helps to stop bleeding. This is because of its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 2-5 drops of Manjistha oil or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with Coconut oil.
c. Apply it on the affected area once or twice a day.
d. Repeat daily to get rid of the symptoms of skin disease.
3. Acne and Pimples
A Kapha-Pitta dosha skin type can be prone to acne and pimples. According to Ayurveda, an aggravation of Kapha increases sebum production which clogs the pores. This results in the formation of both white and blackheads. An aggravation of Pitta also causes red papules (bumps) and inflammation with pus. Manjistha helps in balancing Kapha and Pitta which helps to remove clogs and inflammation as well.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of Manjistha powder or as per your requirement.
b. Add honey or rose water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area.
d. Wait for 1-2 hours.
e. Wash thoroughly with tap water.
f. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week for effective relief from acne and pimples.
Manjistha helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. A paste of Manjistha powder with coconut oil helps in quick healing and reduces inflammation. This is due to its Ropan (healing) and Pitta balancing properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of Manjistha powder or as per your requirement.
b. Add coconut oil and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area.
d. Leave at least 4-5 hours for quick wound healing.
2. Skin disease
Manjistha or its oil helps to control the symptoms of skin disease like eczema when applied on the affected area. Some of the symptoms of eczema are rough skin, blisters, inflammation, itchiness and bleeding. Applying Manjistha or its oil reduces inflammation and helps to stop bleeding. This is because of its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 2-5 drops of Manjistha oil or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with Coconut oil.
c. Apply it on the affected area once or twice a day.
d. Repeat daily to get rid of the symptoms of skin disease.
3. Acne and Pimples
A Kapha-Pitta dosha skin type can be prone to acne and pimples. According to Ayurveda, an aggravation of Kapha increases sebum production which clogs the pores. This results in the formation of both white and blackheads. An aggravation of Pitta also causes red papules (bumps) and inflammation with pus. Manjistha helps in balancing Kapha and Pitta which helps to remove clogs and inflammation as well.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of Manjistha powder or as per your requirement.
b. Add honey or rose water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area.
d. Wait for 1-2 hours.
e. Wash thoroughly with tap water.
f. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week for effective relief from acne and pimples.
Precautions when using Manjistha
Allergy
Ayurvedic View
Use Manjistha powder with rose water if your skin is hypersensitive.
Recommended Dosage of Manjistha
- Manjistha Powder - ½ - 1 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
- Manjistha Oil - 2-5 drops or as per your requirement
How to use Manjistha
1. Manjistha Powder
a. Take ½ - 1 teaspoon of Manjistha powder.
b. Add rose water to it to make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area.
d. Wait for 1-2 hours.
e. Wash thoroughly with tap water.
f. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week for effective relief from skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema.
2. Manjistha Oil
a. Take 2-5 drops of Manjistha oil or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with Coconut oil.
c. Apply it on the affected area once or twice a day to get rid of the symptoms of skin disease.
a. Take ½ - 1 teaspoon of Manjistha powder.
b. Add rose water to it to make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area.
d. Wait for 1-2 hours.
e. Wash thoroughly with tap water.
f. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week for effective relief from skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema.
2. Manjistha Oil
a. Take 2-5 drops of Manjistha oil or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with Coconut oil.
c. Apply it on the affected area once or twice a day to get rid of the symptoms of skin disease.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Manjistha is available in the market in the following forms:
1. Powder
2. Capsule
3. Tablets
They are present in the market under various brands. You can choose the brand and product according to your liking and requirement.
1. Powder
2. Capsule
3. Tablets
They are present in the market under various brands. You can choose the brand and product according to your liking and requirement.
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha has a good role in acne. It has good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-androgen properties. It inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. Rubimallin in Manjistha reduces the inflammation associated with acne. It reduces the level of androgens in the body that stimulate the sebaceous glands to produce excess oil. Thus, Manjistha has good anti-acne activity[6].
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha is good for the heart. It might act as a calcium channel blocker to manage irregular cardiac rhythm. It has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet activities. It might prevent lipid peroxidation that damages the blood vessels. It also reduces platelet aggregation. Manjistha has diuretic and vasodilating properties. Thus, it might be beneficial in managing high blood pressure[10].
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Manjistha is good for the heart as it helps in maintaining a normal cholesterol level. It improves metabolism by reducing Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This is due to its Ushna (hot) nature. It also flushes out the toxins from the blood. This is because of its Raktashodhak (blood purifier) property.
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha is good for the liver. It has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. It might prevent lipid peroxidation that damages the liver cells. It reduces the level of elevated liver enzymes in the blood. Manjistha might also be beneficial in case of acute and chronic hepatitis[11].
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha is good for diabetes. This is due to its hypoglycemic effect. It might help to lower the blood glucose levels. Manjistha also reduces the risk of diabetic complications due to its antioxidant property[11].
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Manjistha helps to manage high blood sugar level. This is because of its Tikta (bitter) taste. It also helps to improve metabolism by reducing Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) due to Ushna (hot) nature. Apart from this, Manjisth corrects the impaired function of insulin, thus help control the blood sugar level.
Ayurvedic View
Manjistha can cause constipation due to its Guru (heavy) and Kashaya (astringent) properties. So, it is advisable to take Manjistha with hot water if you already have any digestion problems.
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Manjistha is safe for diabetics as it helps to manage high blood sugar level. This is due to its Tikta (bitter) taste.
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha has a good role in acne. It has good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. It reduces the inflammation associated with acne. Thus, Manjistha has good anti-acne activity when applied to the skin[6].
Tips:
1. Take root powder of Manjistha and mix with ghee.
2. Apply on the affected area[6].
Or,
1. Take the whole plant pulp of Manjistha.
2. Mix with honey.
3. Apply on the affected area[6].
Tips:
1. Take root powder of Manjistha and mix with ghee.
2. Apply on the affected area[6].
Or,
1. Take the whole plant pulp of Manjistha.
2. Mix with honey.
3. Apply on the affected area[6].
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha has a role in wound healing. It promotes wound closure. It helps in the formation of new skin cells. Manjistha also has antibacterial property that prevents skin infection and promotes wound healing[11].
Modern Science View
Yes, Manjistha is useful for the skin. Glycosides present in Manjistha improves complexion and lighten dark spots. It acts as a natural blood purifier and makes your skin glow[9].
References
- Gupta AK, Tandon N, Sharma M.Quality standards of Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol 3, Indian Council of Medicinal Research.2005;307,315.
- Shrotri MK, Ghavane RC, Mukunda U.Indian Drugs 2005;42(1):20-23.
- Joshan RS, Nagarauk R, Anuradha P. Antibacterial properties of extracts of Indian medicinal plants: Syzygium alternifolium, Phyllanthus niruri, Rubia cordifolia.Biomed. Pharmacol. J.2010;3:123-128.
- Bechtold T, Mussak R. Handbook of Natural Colorants.John Wiley & Sons Ltd.2009;151-82.
- Oprika C.Characterisation of antibiotic-resistant Propionibacterium acnes from acne vulgaris and other diseases.2006.
- Meena V, Chaudhary AK.Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) - A helping herb in cure of acne.J. Ayu. Her. Med.3(2):1-17.",https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-557/madder,"Balkrishnan A.Manjistha.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya. Danik Bhaskar.2017
- Sharma K, Joshi N, Goyal C.Critical review of Ayurvedic Varṇya herbs and their tyrosinase inhibition effect.Anc Sci Life. 2015 Jul-Sep; 35(1): 18–25.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.