Botanical name: Rubia Cordifolia
Manjistha– Summary
Often known as the Indian madder, Manjistha has its origin in the Indian subcontinent and is considered as one of the classes of the coffee family. It originally has a unique but bitter taste, shadowed by a spicy smack. Manjistha oil has widely been used in specialty oils such as the Mahanarayan oil and Pinda Thailam which are used outwardly for easing muscle pain, arthritis, and edema.
About Manjistha
- Manjistha is an herbaceous branched climber or creeper of perennial origin that climbs up to 10 m.
- It is known by different names in various parts of the world. Some of its common names include Aromatic madder, Indian madder, Munjeet Madder wort, Bengal madder, Rubia root, and Runas.
- This amazing herb contains various bioactive constituents like purpurin, munjistin, xanthopurpurin, pseudopurpurin and glycosides like rubiadin, rubiprasin A,B,C, ruiearbonls, aborane triterpenoids, mangistin, 1-hydroxy 2-methoxy anthraquinone, 3-dimethoxy 2 carboxy anthraquinone, alizarin, garancin, mollugin and furomollugin.
Majistha and Doshas
- When it comes to maintaining balance among various doshas, manjistha can be the most sought-after supplement. It’s able to provide help when balancing the pitta and Kapha dynamisms, principally when they are higher than usual, common in the hot summer months.
- It calms aggravated pitta and breaks up congested Kapha. Various pitta-aggravated imbalances in the body, particularly those of the blood, maybe complemented by manjistha.
Manjistha- Health Benefits
- The powerful anti-bacterial and anti-diarrhoeal qualities of Manjistha is heavily used for eradicating bacteria from the intestines that cause diarrhoea and other intestinal contagions.
- It is considered to be a great traditional remedy for all kinds of respiratory problems.
- It makes for a magical remedy for most liver anomalies especially jaundice
- The abundance of flavonoids and bioactive elements in manjistha root helps the body reduce excess weight quicker.
- It is used in the treatment of different types of ulcers like ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, canker sores or mouth ulcers, etc.
- Loaded with great carminative and digestive properties, Manjistha even helps in treating a range of digestive problems.
- Manjistha plays a vital role in the management of menstrual periods, treating postnatal ailments, and even helps to treat heavy abdominal pain/bleeding.
Scientific Studies About Manjistha
According to a scientific study the roots of the plant are sweet, bitter, acrid, and used as anti-inflammatory (Antarkar, et al. 1984) haemostatic (Kosuge, et al. 1982), antidysentric, antipyretic, analgesic, anthelmentic, improves the voice, the complexion, and cure the Kapha, the inflammation diseases of the uterus, the vagina, the eye, the ear, and the blood.
Dharmsala Teas with Manjistha