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| Rubia cordifolia: A Herb of Therapeutic Benefits! |
Rubia cordifolia, (Rubiaceae family)
is
a perennial, herbaceous climber, found
throughout Asiatic and African regions of the world. It is considered to be one
of the most valuable herbs in Ayurveda and has been largely used by physicians
since ancient times for the maintenance of general health. This is commonly known
as Manjistha or Indian Madder.
In
regions of Asia, Africa & Europe, Rubia was an economically important
source of a red pigment called Alizarin, that gives its red color to a textile
dye known as Rose Madder. It was also used as a colourant, especially for
paint, called as Madder lake.
Rubia
is bitter, astringent and sweet in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect
and has hot potency. It has been used in tuberculosis and
intestinal ulcer and is recommended by Ayurvedic physicians as a blood purifier
for skin diseases and to improve the complexion. The herb is useful in treating
skin related problems. The roots of Rubia are widely used in treating pimples,
reducing wrinkles, improving complexion, treating burns, healing injuries and
lessening inflammations.
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| Leaves of Rubia cordifolia |
The roots of Rubia are said to be
alternative, anodyne, antiphlogistic, antitussive, astringent, diuretic,
emmenagogue, expectorant, styptic, tonic, and vulnerary. They are used to lower
blood pressure, as well as internally in the treatment of abnormally uterine
bleeding; internal and external hemorrhage; bronchitis; rheumatism, stones in
the kidney and bladder, and gall, dysentery, and so on. The roots and fruit are
used in treating paralysis and conditions of ulcer. The stem is used in
treating cobra bite and scorpion sting. It is used in the treatment of liver
fluke, dysentery, maggots & intestinal worms in animals.
The
roots contain resinous and extractive matter, gum, sugar, coloring matter, the salt of the pigment being a red crystalline principle purpurine. The yellow
glucoside manjistin and a xanthine are also present, besides garancin and
orange red alizarin. Anthroquinones pentacyclic triterpenes, quinines, cyclic
hexapeptides and diethylesters are also reported. Other compounds isolated are
xantho-purpurin, glucose, sucrose and ruberythric acid. Alizarin, purpurin,
purpurin carbohydrate, quinizarine and christofin isolated from roots.
Antitumor cyclic hexapeptides – RA-V and RA-VII – isolated from roots.
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