Manjistha / Indian Madder
Rubia cordifolia
Mollugin and purpurin from Manjistha show anti-tumour activity against breast, colon, and ovarian cancer cells through NF-κB inhibition and apoptosis induction. In Ayurveda, Manjistha is the primary herb for lymphatic system cleansing — addressing lymphedema that commonly affects breast and gynecological cancer survivors after lymph node removal.
Medicinal Properties
Cancer Types Studied
Recommended Dosage
500–1000 mg standardised extract daily, or 3–6 g powder.
Preparations
Manjistha Powder in Warm Water
1/2–1 tsp manjistha powder in warm water twice daily. Also applied as paste topically for lymphedema management.
NIH / PubMed Research
Links open on PubMed (National Library of Medicine). Research is ongoing — results may not reflect clinical use.
Cautions & Interactions
- May turn urine red/orange — harmless
- Avoid in pregnancy
- May interact with blood-thinning medications
- Use consistently for 3+ months for lymphatic effects
Related Herbs
Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before use.