Indian Madder

Botanical

What is it

Indian Madder (Rubia cordifolia, known in Ayurveda as manjishta) is a perennial climbing plant native to South Asia. Its dried root has been used traditionally for skin conditions, blood disorders, and as a dye.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Skin conditions / 'blood purification' (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional Ayurvedic use; no robust modern controlled human trials.

How it works

The root contains anthraquinones (such as alizarin and purpurin) and rubicordin, along with other flavonoids. Traditional Ayurvedic use describes it as a 'blood purifier' (rakta shodhak), used for skin conditions like eczema, acne, and pigmentation. Preclinical studies suggest anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and possibly antiproliferative effects. Some anthraquinones in Rubia have shown DNA-damaging activity in laboratory tests, which has raised regulatory concerns in some countries.

Dosage

Traditional doses: 1-3 g powdered root daily, or as part of compound formulas. Modern standardized extracts vary.

When and how to take it

Traditionally taken twice daily with water or warm milk. Can be taken with or without food.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Manjishta powder

Traditional Ayurvedic form.

Whole-root powder; anthraquinones absorbed in small intestine.

Standardized extract

Modern capsule form.

Concentrations vary by manufacturer.

Safety

Generally tolerated at traditional doses. Some anthraquinone constituents have shown genotoxic activity in laboratory studies, leading to restrictions on Rubia tinctorum (a related species) in Europe. Long-term safety is not well established.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. People with liver or kidney disease should be cautious. Long-term high-dose use is not recommended given genotoxicity concerns about related species.

Interactions

May interact with diabetes medications via blood-sugar effects, and possibly with anticoagulants. Data are limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is Indian madder safe for long-term use?⌄

Long-term high-dose use is questionable due to genotoxicity concerns about anthraquinones in related Rubia species. Short-term traditional use under qualified supervision is more typical.

Will manjishta clear my acne?⌄

It has been used traditionally for skin conditions, but there are no high-quality clinical trials demonstrating efficacy for acne specifically.

References

Indian Madder on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Indian Madder on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Indian Madder (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.