Dridhabala: Created page with "{{Infobox plant | name = Manjistha | image = Rubia_cordifolia.jpg | image_caption = Flowering shoot and leaves of ''Rubia cordifolia'' (Indian Madder) | binomial_name = ''Rubia cordifolia'' | family = Rubiaceae | common_names = Indian Madder | synonyms = ''Samanga'', ''Yojanavalli'', ''Vastraranjini'' }} '''Manjistha''' (Latin: ''Rubia cordifolia'', English: '''Indian Madder''') is a perennial climbing pla..."

2026-08-30T04:40:12Z

Created page with "{{Infobox plant | name = Manjistha | image = Rubia_cordifolia.jpg | image_caption = Flowering shoot and leaves of ''Rubia cordifolia'' (Indian Madder) | binomial_name = ''Rubia cordifolia'' | family = Rubiaceae | common_names = Indian Madder | synonyms = ''Samanga'', ''Yojanavalli'', ''Vastraranjini'' }} '''Manjistha''' (Latin: ''Rubia cordifolia'', English: '''Indian Madder''') is a perennial climbing pla..."

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{{Infobox plant
| name = Manjistha
| image = Rubia_cordifolia.jpg
| image_caption = Flowering shoot and leaves of ''Rubia cordifolia'' (Indian Madder)
| binomial_name = ''Rubia cordifolia''
| family = Rubiaceae
| common_names = Indian Madder
| synonyms = ''Samanga'', ''Yojanavalli'', ''Vastraranjini''
}}

'''Manjistha''' (Latin: ''Rubia cordifolia'', English: '''Indian Madder''') is a perennial climbing plant belonging to the family [[Rubiaceae]]. In [[Ayurveda]], it is renowned as one of the most potent blood-purifying (''Raktashodhaka'') and complexion-enhancing (''Varnya'') herbs, extensively cited across classical Ayurvedic scriptures.<ref name="API">Anonymous. ''The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India''. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 3: 52.</ref>

== Botanical & Vernacular Names ==
* '''Latin Name:''' ''Rubia cordifolia''
* '''Family:''' Rubiaceae
* '''English Name:''' Indian Madder
* '''Sanskrit / Classical Name:''' Manjistha

== Synonyms in Classical Texts ==
* '''Synonyms in Charaka Samhita:'''
** ''Samanga''
* '''Synonyms in Bhavaprakash Nighantu:'''<ref name="Bhavaprakash">Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, ''Bhavaprakash Nighantu''. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Haritakyadi varga, verse no. 189–190.</ref>
** ''Vikasa'' – Spreads over the ground.
** ''Jingi''
** ''Kalameshika'' – When completely dried, the root turns black in colour.
** ''Mandukaparni''
** ''Bhandiri'' / ''Bhandi'' – Spreads extensively on the land.
** ''Yojanavalli'' – A long climber that spreads over large distances on the ground.
** ''Rasayani'' – Possessing rejuvenating properties.
** ''Aruna'' / ''Kaala''
** ''Raktanga'' – Fresh root and stem are red in colour.
** ''Raktayastika'' – Stem is slender and red in colour.
** ''Bhanditaki''
** ''Gandiri''
** ''Manjusha''
** ''Vastraranjini'' – Imparts red colour to cloth, hence traditionally used as a dyeing agent.

== Varieties ==
According to ''Raja Nighantu'', four major varieties of Manjistha are described:<ref name="RajaNighantu">Dr. Indradev Tripathi, ''Raja Nighantu of Pandit Narhari''. Edition 2006, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Pippalyadi varga, verse no. 195.</ref>
# '''Cola'''
# '''Yojani'''
# '''Crounchi'''
# '''Simhali'''

== Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties ==
According to Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics, the properties (''Rasa Panchaka'') of Manjistha are summarized below:<ref name="API" />

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
! Sr. No. !! Pharmacological Criteria !! Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes)
|-
| 1 || '''Taste (''[[Rasa]]'')''' || Sweet (''Madhura''), Bitter (''Tikta''), Astringent (''Kashaya'')
|-
| 2 || '''Potency (''[[Veerya]]'')''' || Hot (''Ushna'')
|-
| 3 || '''Post-digestion Effect (''[[Vipaka]]'')''' || Pungent (''Katu'')
|-
| 4 || '''Qualities (''[[Guna]]'')''' || Heavy (''Guru'')
|-
| 5 || '''Actions (''[[Karma]]'')''' || ''Krumighna'' (anthelmintic / antimicrobial), ''Kaphapitta Shamaka'' (pacifies Kapha and Pitta), ''Svarya'' (improves voice), ''Vrushya'' (aphrodisiac), ''Sothaghna'' (anti-inflammatory / anti-edema), ''Kushthaghna'' (cures skin disorders), ''Pramehaghna'' (anti-diabetic), ''Stambhana'' (astringent / styptic), ''Artavajanana'' (emmenagogue / regulates menstruation), ''Rasayana'' (rejuvenative), ''Sonitasthapana'' (hemostatic / blood restorer)
|}

== References in Charaka Samhita ==
Manjistha is mentioned across numerous contexts and formulations in the ''Charaka Samhita'':

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
! Sr. No. !! Reference in Charaka Samhita !! Activity / Indication / Formulation
|-
| 1 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9/8 || Complexion-promoting group (''Varnya Mahakashaya'')
|-
| 2 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9/16 || Anti-toxic / antidote group (''Vishaghna Mahakashaya'')
|-
| 3 || Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 4/9/39 || Antipyretic / fever-relieving group (''Jwarahara Mahakashaya'')
|-
| 4 || Cha.Sa.[[Nidana Sthana]] 4/33 || Describing the colour and characteristics of urine (''Mutra'')
|-
| 5 || Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/144 || Astringent drug group (''Kashaya-skandha'')
|-
| 6 || Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]] 8/32 || Treatment of striae gravidarum / pregnancy stretch marks (''Kikkisa'')
|-
| 7 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/258 || Ingredient of ''Chandanadhya Taila''
|-
| 8 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 6/39 || Medicated oil for the treatment of ''Prameha'' (diabetes and urinary disorders)
|-
| 9 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 7/65 || Ingredient of ''Mustadi Churna''
|-
| 10 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 7/100 || Ingredient of decoction drug (''Kwatha Dravya'') for ''Kushtha'' (skin disorders)
|-
| 11 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 7/120 || Ingredient of ''Vipadikahara Ghrita'' and ''Taila'' (for cracked heels / dermatoses)
|-
| 12 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 8/83 || External application (''Lepa'')
|-
| 13 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 9/36 || Ingredient of ''Kalyanaka Ghrita''
|-
| 14 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 9/70 || External application in Vata-Kapha dominant insanity / psychosis (''Unmada'')
|-
| 15 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 11/44 || Ingredient of ''Shvadamshtradi Ghrita''
|-
| 16 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/68 || External application in Pitta-dominant swelling (''Shotha'')
|-
| 17 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 14/159 || Ingredient of ''Kanakarishta''
|-
| 18 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/147 || Ingredient of ''Madhukasava''
|-
| 19 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/158 || Ingredient of ''Moolasava''
|-
| 20 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 16/105 || Ingredient of ''Gauda Arishta''
|-
| 21 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 17/145 || Ingredient of ''Manahshiladi Ghrita''
|-
| 22 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 21/76 || External application (''Lepa'')
|-
| 23 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 23/50 || Ingredient of formulation used in the 6th stage of poisoning management
|-
| 24 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 23/79 || Ingredient of ''Mahagandhahastinama Agada''
|-
| 25 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 23/185 || Management of toxic effects localized in the colon region
|-
| 26 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 23/196 || Treatment of ''Mandali'' (viperine) snake bites
|-
| 27 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 25/114 || External application for wound care (''Vrana'')
|-
| 28 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 26/208 || Ingredient of ''Khadiradi Gutika''
|-
| 29 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 26/234 || Formulation drug used in the treatment of eye disorders (''Akshi Roga'')
|-
| 30 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 26/238 || Formulation drug used in the treatment of eye disorders (''Akshi Roga'')
|-
| 31 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 26/270 || Formulation drug used in the management of premature greying (''Palitya'') and alopecia (''Khalitya'')
|-
| 32 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/150 || Ingredient of ''Baladi Taila''
|-
| 33 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 28/162 || Ingredient of ''Amritadi Taila''
|-
| 34 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/94 || Ingredient of ''Madhuparnyadi Taila''
|-
| 35 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/107 || Ingredient of ''Amritadya Taila''
|-
| 36 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/113 || Ingredient of ''Mahapadma Taila''
|-
| 37 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/114 || Ingredient of ''Khuddaka Padmaka Taila''
|-
| 38 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/123 || Ingredient of ''Pinda Taila''
|-
| 39 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 29/134 || Medicated formulation drug in Vatarakta
|-
| 40 || Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 30/275 || Management of disorders caused by vitiated breast milk (''Stanya Dosha'')
|-
| 41 || Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]] 3/48 || Ingredient of medicated enema formulation (''Basti Dravya'')
|-
| 42 || Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]] 10/21 || Ingredient of Pitta-pacifying enema (''Pitta Dosha Nashaka Basti'')
|-
| 43 || Cha.Sa.[[Siddhi Sthana]] 10/43 || Basti formulation in bleeding disorders (''Raktapitta'') and diabetes/polyuria (''Prameha'')
|}

== Therapeutic Uses ==
Manjistha is indicated in classical Ayurvedic literature for the management of the following conditions:<ref name="API" />
* ''Yoni Roga'' (Gynecological and vaginal diseases)
* ''Akshi Roga'' (Eye diseases)
* ''Shleshmaja Shotha'' (Kapha-dominant swelling / edema)
* ''Karna Roga'' (Ear disorders)
* ''Manjistha Meha'' (Urinary condition with reddish urine)
* ''Raktatisara'' (Bloody diarrhea / dysentery)
* ''Kushtha'' (Obstinate skin disorders / psoriasis / eczema)
* ''Visarpa'' (Erysipelas / herpes)
* ''Prameha'' (Urinary disorders / diabetes mellitus)
* ''Sarpavisha'' (Snake venom poisoning)
* ''Bhagna'' (Fractures / bone healing)
* ''Arsha'' (Hemorrhoids / piles)
* ''Vyanga'' (Hyperpigmentation / facial melasma)

== Dosage & Administration ==
* '''Powder (''Churna''):''' 2 – 4 g of the drug.<ref name="API" />

== Important Formulations ==
* ''Aravindasava''
* ''Ashvagandharishta''
* ''Usirasava''
* ''Chandanasava''
* ''Brihat Manjisthadi Kwatha''
* ''Manjisthadi Taila''
* ''Khadiradi Gutika''

== Habitat & Availability ==
* '''Status:''' Available

== Current Research ==
* Phytochemical profile & research database: [https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Rubia%20cordifolia IMPPAT Phytochemical Profile: Rubia cordifolia]

== References ==
<references />

Talk:Manjistha - Revision history