Manjishta: The herb for skin care

     

    Manjishta is well known as Indian madder. The herb is an excellent blood purifier and is also used as a dyeing agent as it imparts color. Manjishta have many actions including Antidiabetic, Diuretic, Haemostatic, Anthelmintic etc and is a high potential medicinal herb. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Manjishta in inflammatory conditions and in skin discoloration owing to it’s Pittahara action. The herb contains Phytoconstituents like Manjishtin, purpurin etc. which are found to have excellent antiinflammatory actions. 

General Aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Rubia cordifolia     

Family :  Rubiaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

Roots

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Jwarahara varga (Alleviates fever )

Susruta Samhita – Priyangvadi gana

Pharmacological Actions

Blood purifier

Antimicrobial 

Hemostatic 

Diuretic 

Antidiabetic 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

Varnya (increases skin complexion )

Visaghna ( Anti poisonous )

Balya (Promotes strength)

Arsoghna (reduces Haemorrhoids )

Jawarahara(Cures fever )

Therapeutic indications

Fracture (Bhagna)- Paste of Manjishta and Glycirrhiza glabra(Madhuka) is triturated with sour gruel and applied to heal fracture quickly 

Diabetes (Prameha)- the decoction prepared from Manjishta is taken at a dose of 90 ml daily to check diabetes 

Freckle (Vyanga)- The paste of root of Manjishta is triturated with honey and is applied over the skin.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (Kashaya)- 60 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

Manjishtadi lepa

Manjishtadi taila

Mahamanjishtadi kwatha

Pinda taila

Morphology :

Perennial herbaceous climber with long and grooved stem. Leaves are 4 in one whorl. Inflorescence is terminal panicled cymes. Flowers are greenish.

Vernacular names of  Manjishta 

English – Indian madder 

Hindi- Manjit

Malayalam –  Manchatti

Sanskrit – Manjishta 

Synonyms of Manjishta 

Vikasa 

Samanga

Aruna

Rasayani

Rasapanchaka – Manjishta

 

Rasa- Kashaya (astringent ) Tikta(Bitter ) Madhura(Sweet)

Guna-  Guru (heavy)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid)

Virya- ushna (hot)

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu – Guducyadi varga- Shloka no 233)

   Manjishta alleviates Pitta and Kapha doshas owing to its property  of Astringent taste.  The herb is used to treat numerous diseases including Freckle, Fracture, Inflammatory conditions etc. Ayurvedatarian conducts many research studies on the herb Manjishta to explore  the medicinal properties for the alleviation diseases including blood disorders , Diabetes , heart diseases etc. Dr Varun Ram Raj, is leading the research for Ayurvedatarian single herbs and herbal combinations for making the availability of high quality herbal as well as Ayurvedic products to the entire globe. 

Researches on Manjishta 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302902410_ManjisthaRubia_Cordifolia-_A_helping_herb_in_cure_of_acne

https://www.journalijar.com/article/19749/a-review-study-of-medicinal-uses-of-manjishtha-(rubia-cordifolia/

Frequently asked Questions

1) Is Manjishta good for increasing skin complexion?

   Yes, Paste of Manjishta can be applied on skin in regular basis to attain more glowing skin

2) What are the uses of Manjishtadi lepa?

 Manjishtadi lepa can be applied over the skin to reduce local swelling.

3) What is the dose of Mahamanjishtadi kwatha?

   Mahamanjishtadi kwatha can be taken at a dose of 90 ml twice per day to reduce Skin disorders like leprosy.

4)What are the dosha pacifying qualities of Manjishta?

   Manjishta is a Pitta - Kapha dosha pacifier.