Manjistha – An Ayurvedic Skin Elixir
Manjishtha, (Rubia cordifolia, common madder or Indian madder), is a climber flowering plant in the coffee family, Rubiaceae. It is commonly cultivated for a red pigment derived from its roots as well as for its medicinal benefits. It is one of the most valued medicinal plants in Ayurveda owing to its uses in a variety of skin and blood disorders.
In Sanskrit, it is also known as Vikasa, Jingi, Samanga, Kalameshika, Mandukaparni, Bhandiri, bhandi, Yojanavalli, Rasayani, Aruna, Kala, Raktangi etc. These names are derived from their medicinal benefits and looks.
Acharya Charaka, one of the greatest sages in Ayurveda, has categorized the herb as under the classes of Varnya (that improves the complexion), Jvarahara (which reduces fever), and Vishaghna (detoxifying). It is also a popular Rasayana (rejuvenating herb).
Properties of Manjishtha
As per Ayurveda, every ingredient is explained in the terms of its properties such as taste, potency, Vipaka, Guna to understand its probable use in different health conditions. Manjishtha is sweet, bitter, and astringent in taste, pungent after digestion (Vipaka), and hot in potency (Veerya). It is heavier to digest. Commonly its fresh or dried roots are used as medicines. Its fruits are only used in cases of obstructive liver disorders.
Benefits of Manjistha
Manjishtha is considered to be good for clarifying the voice, imparting a healthy glow, reducing pigmentation, helping remove the toxins from the body, reducing Kapha, edema (inflammation), diseases of the female reproductive system, bloody diarrhea, skin disorders, blood disorders, herpes-like conditions, wounds, and diabetic conditions.
It is extensively used as a decoction in a variety of blood and skin disorders. It is also used for external applications in cases of hyperpigmentation, acne, and other skin complaints in the form of oil, lepam (mask), or powdered massage (Udvartanam).
Decoction of Manjishtha can help improve microcirculation in the skin and hence facilitate skin repair and optimum pigment generation. Regular use of Manjishtha powder on the skin as a mask can help improve skin health, impart a healthy glow and reduce micro-wrinkles and spots on the skin.
It also helps contractions in the uterus and can help in painful menstruation or conditions where menstrual flow is scanty. It helps cleanse the bladder and in urination, thus it has shown beneficial effects on kidney stones. In cases of hemoglobinuria (passage of blood/hemoglobin through the urine), its decoction can be consumed.
External application of Manjishtha with honey may be useful in hyperpigmentation, white patches, and rashes. If applied along with Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) it can help relieve the signs of viral herpes.
Research Findings
Modern research conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Manjishtha on a variety of heart disorders has shown that Manjishtha exhibits antioxidant, blood purifier, calcium channel blocker, diuretic, antiplatelet, antidiabetic, anti-stress, and vasodilation properties which are beneficial to cardiac health. In some studies, it has been shown to even inhibit platelet-activating factor-induced platelet aggregation, and hence, it may also play a beneficial role in coronary artery disease.
It also helps relax the spasms of smooth muscles of the heart and blood vessels, like a standard “calcium channel blocker” drug. The topical application of Rubia cordifolia root extract and rose oil obtained from Rosa spp. flowers stimulated keratinocyte differentiation in mouse models and also showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties
In a variety of studies, Manjishtha is also shown to have antibacterial, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, radio-protective, anti-HIV and anti-adipogenic activities.
To sum it up, Manjishtha can be a wonderful herb for complaints related to the liver, blood disorders, and skin disorders. It is safer to use it under medical guidance and no safety concerns were observed so far. Its use for skincare and beauty enhancements is much more pronounced and hence it can be called an elixir for the skin.
Author: Dr Omkar Kulkarni (INFS Faculty)
References
- Casetti F, Wölfle U, Gehring W, Schempp CM. Dermocosmetics for dry skin: a new role for botanical extracts. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2011;24(6):289-293. doi:10.1159/000329214
- Shen CH, Liu CT, Song XJ, et al. Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Rubia cordifolia L. by spectrum-effect relationships. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2018;1090:73-80. doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2018.05.021
- Chandrashekar BS, Prabhakara S, Mohan T, et al. Characterization of Rubia cordifolia L. root extract and its evaluation of cardioprotective effect in Wistar rat model. Indian J Pharmacol. 2018;50(1):12-21. doi: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_418_17
- Verma A, Kumar B, Alam P, Singh V and Gupta SK: Rubia Cordifolia – A Review on Pharmaconosy and Phytochemistry. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2016; 7(7): 2720-31. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7(7).2720-31
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu by Sri Bhavamisra, Commentary by Dr. K. C. Chunekar, Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, 2009 Edition
