Munjeet

A genus of about 60 species of perennials and subshrubs, occurring in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Various species contain pigments, which include alizarin (madder red), purpurin (madder purple), rubiacin (madder orange), and xanthine (madder yellow). These compounds are similar to those in the related Galium aparine (See, Goosegrass) and G. verum (See, Lady's Bedstraw). Rubia tinctorum yields a permanent red dye, known as "Turkey red", traditionally used to color Turkish fezzes, soldiers' uniforms, and hunting jackets, which was originally exported from Turkey for cultivation in the main textile centers of N Europe. The main pigment, alizarin, was synthesized in 1868, reducing demand for the cultivated plant. Though best known as a dye plant, R. tinctorum is used medicinally too; it was mentioned by Pliny (CE23-79) as a cure for jaundice. Rubia cordifolia was first described in Chinese medicine in the Shen Nong Canon of Herbs, during the Han dynasty (206BCE-CE23). It also has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. The whole plant is used to dye fabrics reds or pinks. Mixed with indigo, it produces "Egyptian Purple"; Coptic textiles, c.500CE, were dyed using R. cordifolia. It contains munjistin, an anthraquinone, and pigments purpurin, pseudopurpurin, and purpuroxanthin, which are also found in R. tinctorum; it does not contain alizarin. Rubia is from the Latin ruber, "red", referring to the red dye yielded by these plants.

Perennial climber or scrambler with long red roots, weak, 4-angled stems, and whorls or 4 slender, long-pointed, heart-shaped leaves, to 8cm (3in) long. The whole plant is covered in minute hooked bristles. Tiny red-brown to yellow-green flowers appear in loose clusters from summer to autumn, followed by globose, fleshy, black fruits, to 8mm (⅜in) across, containing red juice. Native to mountainous regions of Asia, from the Himalayas to Japan, extending into SE Asia and tropical Africa.


Common Name:
Munjeet
Other Names:
Indian Madder, Manjishta
Botanical Name:
Rubia cordifolia syn. R. manjith
Genus:
Rubia
Family:
Rubiaceae
Native Location:
Mountainous regions of Asia, from the Himalayas to Japan, extending into SE Asia and tropical Africa
Cultivation:
Well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Rubia tinctorum prefers light, dry soil, and thrives in alkaline conditions.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe; by division in spring.
Harvest:
Rhizomes and roots are lifted in autumn from plants at least three years old, and peeled and dried for decoctions and powders. Chinese herbalists also lift roots in spring. Whole plants, including roots, are lifted from two-year-old plants in spring or autumn for dye production.
Height:
6m (20ft)
Hardiness:
Z6
Warning:
Internal use of madders stains urine, milk, and bones red
Parts Used:
Whole plant, roots (qian cao gen)
Properties:
A bitter-sweet, cooling herb that is diuretic and expectorant, checks bleeding, controls coughing, reduces inflammation, and has anti-bacterial effects (Chinese medicine). It also stimulates the circulation, dissolves and inhibits formation of kidney stones, and has alterative effects (Ayurvedic Medicine).
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for abnormal uterine bleeding, internal and external hemorrhage, bronchitis, and rheumatism (Chinese medicine); menstrual and menopausal complaints, jaundice, hepatitis, kidney stones, bladder stones, and gallstones, herpes, skin complaints and dysentery (Ayurvedic medicine). Externally, combined with honey for skin inflammations and with Glycyrrhiza glabra (See, Licorice) for burns and injuries (Ayurvedic medicine).
Ecomonic Uses:
Source of natural and red dyes
Bibliography:
The Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001. Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 349