Madder

botanical

What is it

Madder (Rubia tinctorum, Rubia cordifolia) is a perennial herb whose roots have been used historically as a red dye (alizarin) and as a traditional medicine in Europe and Ayurveda. Use as a dietary supplement is uncommon and not recommended; alizarin and related compounds have been associated with carcinogenicity.

Evidence for 2 uses

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

Urinary stone prevention (traditional)

Mixed

Traditional use exists; modern human evidence is limited and safety concerns outweigh putative benefits.

Skin and blood (Ayurvedic manjistha)

Mixed

Traditional Ayurvedic use; modern clinical evidence is limited.

How it works

Madder root contains anthraquinones (alizarin, purpurin, lucidin) and triterpenes. Traditional uses include urinary stones, amenorrhea, and skin conditions. Modern toxicology has identified lucidin as genotoxic and carcinogenic in animal studies, leading to regulatory restrictions on use of madder in food. Ayurvedic Rubia cordifolia (manjistha) is used for skin and blood conditions but carries similar concerns.

Dosage

Not recommended for routine supplementation. Traditional doses ranged from 1 to 3 grams of dried root.

When and how to take it

Internal supplementation is not recommended.

2 commercial forms

Madder root (Rubia tinctorum)

Anthraquinone content varies.

Used historically as a dye; internal use discouraged.

Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia)

Used in Ayurveda.

Indian relative used traditionally for skin conditions.

Safety

Lucidin and other anthraquinones in madder are genotoxic in animal studies and have raised concerns about carcinogenicity. EFSA has recommended against routine consumption. Use can also turn urine red, sometimes alarmingly.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, and people with kidney disease. Long-term use is discouraged due to genotoxicity concerns.

Interactions

May interact with anticoagulants (theoretical), and with medications that color the urine. Reduced absorption of minerals possible.

Frequently asked questions

Why is madder controversial?⌄

Compounds in the root (notably lucidin) are genotoxic in animal studies, raising concerns about carcinogenic risk with regular use.

Does it really turn urine red?⌄

Yes. Madder dye compounds can color the urine; harmless cosmetically but can confuse diagnostic tests.

References

  • Madder on Wikidata — Wikidata link
  • Madder on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on 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.