Ayurvedic Herb

Manjistha

SanskritManjishthaBotanicalRubia cordifoliaAlso calledIndian madder, Manjith

A deep red root Ayurveda links with rakta, the blood tissue, and with clear, calm, even-toned skin.

Cut a piece of manjistha root and the inside is the color of brick and rust. For centuries it was used as a dye, and it still stains your spoon, your cup and sometimes your fingers. Ayurveda pays attention to color, and this red root has a long relationship with rakta dhatu, the blood tissue.

When rakta is calm and clean, the tradition says, it shows in the skin. So manjistha is the herb teachers reach for when the face runs red, warm or blotchy, often in summer or in pitta seasons of life. It is bitter and earthy in the cup, so most people take it blended with other herbs or in a face mask.

Ayurvedic Properties

RasaTastes
  • Bitter
  • Astringent
  • Sweet
ViryaHeating or cooling
Heating
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Pungent
AgniEffect on digestion
Neutral for agni

Little direct effect on digestion.

GunaQualities
  • Heavy
  • Dry
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: increases in excess
  • Pitta: decreases
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Its bitter and astringent tastes make manjistha a classic choice for pitta and kapha in the blood and skin. The dry quality can leave vata feeling parched, so vata types often take it with ghee or milk.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support rakta dhatu, Ayurveda's blood tissue.
  • Traditionally used to support clear, calm and even-toned skin.
  • Traditionally used to support healthy flow in the lymph and small channels of the body.
  • Traditionally used to support a cool, comfortable feeling in the skin during hot weather.

How People Use It

  • PowderA pinch to 1/2 teaspoon of powder stirred into warm water, often blended with neem, turmeric or other skin herbs.
  • GheeMixed into a little warm ghee, a traditional way to soften its dryness for vata types.
  • TopicalBlended with honey, rose water or yogurt as a gentle face mask. It can tint fair skin pink for a short time, so test it on a small patch first.
Try This

Manjistha and Rose Face Mask

A cooling weekend ritual for warm, easily flushed skin.

  • 1/2 teaspoon manjistha powder
  • 1 teaspoon chickpea flour
  • 1 pinch turmeric (optional)
  • Rose water or plain yogurt to make a paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon raw honey
  1. Patch test a little of the paste on your inner arm first and wait a day.
  2. Mix the powders in a small bowl, then add honey and enough rose water or yogurt to make a soft paste.
  3. Spread a thin layer on clean skin, avoiding the eyes. Rest for 10 minutes.
  4. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Use an old towel, since manjistha can stain fabric.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Safety research on manjistha is limited. There is not enough information to know whether it is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so please avoid it then.
  • Manjistha can turn urine reddish. This is a known, harmless color change from the root's natural pigments, but tell your doctor you are taking it if you have urine tests.
  • Because so little is known about interactions, check with your doctor if you take any regular medication or have a kidney or liver condition.
  • When using it on the skin, patch test first and stop if you notice irritation.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner before taking manjistha regularly.

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.