Overview
Manjishtha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for anemia. The prime Raktashodhaka (blood purifier) drug in Ayurveda. The root is used — it yields a red dye. Found throughout India as a climbing plant. Used extensively in skin diseases, menstrual disorders, and as a complexion enhancer. Ingredient of Mahamanjishthadi Kwatha.
How Manjishtha Helps with Anemia
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Manjishtha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing anemia:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), Madhura (sweet)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya), Sweet (Madhura)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Key Constituents
- Purpurin, Munjistin, Xanthopurpurin (Alizarin), and other anthraquinone glycosides
- Also Known As
- Sanskrit: मञ्जिष्ठा, विकसा, जिंगी, समंगा, रक्तांगी, कालमेषिका, मण्डूकपर्णी, भण्डी
Hindi: मजीठ, मंजीठ
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
One pala of each of shvadamshtra, ushira, manjishtha, bala, kashmarya, katrna, the root of darbha, prithak parni, palasha, rishabhaka, and sthira should be made to decoction.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा)
073 kg) and eight pala (384 gm) of manjishtha and mix with three drona (36.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
to this add two hundred pala (9600 gm) of jaggery and half kudava (96 gm) of honey as well as powders of priyangu, musta, manjishtha, vidanga, madhuka, plava, and sabaraka lodhra and fermented for a fortnight.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
Manjishtha, rajani, draksha, bala moola (roots), lauha bhasma, and lodhra should be added to jaggery and processed according to the method prescribed for arishta.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 16: Anemia Treatment (Pandu Chikitsa / पाण्डुचिकित्सा)
), manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 16: Anemia Treatment (Pandu Chikitsa / पाण्डुचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
The six Pittaja Pramehas are: Manjishtha-meha (madder-colored urine), Haridra-meha (turmeric-colored urine), Nilameha (blue urine), Raktaka (blood-red urine), Krishnameha (black urine), and Charameha.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 7: Rogagananam (Enumeration of Diseases)
Mahamanjishthadi Kvatha, prepared with Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Parpata (Fumaria indica), and other drugs, destroys Kushtha (skin diseases), Vata disorders, and Visarpa (erysipelas), and is supreme in alleviating Shotha (edema) and Pandu (anemia).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
A Pratisarana powder made from Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Darvi (Berberis aristata), Samanga (Rubia cordifolia/Manjishtha), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Tiktaka/Pitika (Picrorhiza kurroa), Tejani (Zanthoxylum armatum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) -- this powder, applied as oral paste, destroys bleeding (Rakta Sruti), tooth pain (Danta Pida), swelling (Shotha), and burning (Daha).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 10: Gandusha-Kavala Pratisarana Vidhi (Gargling, Oil Pulling and Oral Paste Application)
A paste of Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Vata Ankura (banyan sprouts, Ficus benghalensis), and Masura (red lentils, Lens culinaris) destroys Vyanga (hyperpigmentation/melasma) and bestows facial radiance (Mukha Kanti).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Red sandalwood and Manjishtha are Rakta Prasadaka (blood purifiers), Lodhra is astringent and skin-lightening, and lentils provide gentle exfoliation.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 7: Rogagananam (Enumeration of Diseases); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 10: Gandusha-Kavala Pratisarana Vidhi (Gargling, Oil Pulling and Oral Paste Application); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Milk prepared with hibera (vetiver), vakra, manjishtha (madder), and udumbara (fig) bark — or goat's milk with water — is an excellent ashchyotana (eye drop) for pain.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Flowers of the two brihatis (Solanum species) and bimbi (Coccinia), in equal parts with manjishtha (Rubia), ground with honey or sugarcane juice.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
also with payasya, sariva, leaves, manjishtha, and madhuka (licorice).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
The child should be anointed with Rodhra, Priyangu (callicarpa), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), and Gairika (red ochre).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
For Hridroga (heart disease) in fever: Lataa, Vishvani, Shamurva, Manjishtha, and Svarjika herbs.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha
Safety & Precautions
Manjishtha has a long safety record in classical Ayurveda and is considered well-tolerated at standard doses. That said, it has a few quirks that catch first-time users off-guard, and a handful of situations where caution — or outright avoidance — is warranted.
Red or Orange Urine and Stool (Harmless but Startling)
The single most common "side effect" is not a side effect at all. Manjishtha contains anthraquinone pigments — purpurin, munjistin and xanthopurpurin — that are excreted through urine and, less often, stool. The result is a pinkish, orange, or occasionally red tint that can look alarming if no one warned you.
This is completely harmless and stops within 24-48 hours of discontinuing the herb. Classical texts were aware of this: the Sharangadhara Samhita even named one form of diabetic urine Manjishtha-meha because its colour matched madder root. If you see red-tinted urine while taking Manjishtha, it is the pigment, not blood. If the discolouration persists after stopping the herb, or is accompanied by pain or other symptoms, see a clinician.
Pregnancy — Avoid Internal Use
Manjishtha is an emmenagogue and uterine stimulant — it is classically used to regulate menstruation and move stagnant uterine blood. For this reason, do not take Manjishtha internally during pregnancy. External application (paste or Lepa) for pigmentation is generally considered safe in small amounts, but when in doubt, postpone until after nursing.
Drug Interactions
- Antihypertensives: Manjishtha has a mild hypotensive effect. If you take blood pressure medication, monitor readings and consult your doctor before adding high-dose extracts.
- Anti-diabetic drugs: Manjishtha is classified as Prameha Hara (anti-diabetic) and can lower blood glucose. If you take insulin or oral hypoglycaemics, monitor your levels.
- Blood thinners: Because Manjishtha influences blood and circulation, use caution with warfarin, heparin or high-dose antiplatelet therapy.
Contact Dermatitis (Rare)
A small number of people develop mild skin irritation from topical Manjishtha paste. If you are using it externally for the first time, do a patch test on the inner forearm and wait 24 hours before applying to the face.
Overdose
At doses well above the classical range (typically beyond 10 g of powder daily) Manjishtha can cause nausea, loose stools, and more pronounced urine discolouration. These effects resolve quickly once the dose is reduced. No serious toxicity has been reported at therapeutic doses in long-term traditional use.
Not Recommended For
- Pregnant women (internal use)
- People with very low blood pressure or taking antihypertensives without supervision
- People with very low blood sugar or taking insulin without monitoring
- Anyone with a known hypersensitivity to Rubiaceae family plants
Other Herbs for Anemia
See all herbs for anemia on the Anemia page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.