Madder is a plant with roots that are used for the making of medicines. Madder root contains rubian, tannins, alizarin, quinizarin, rubiadin, lucidin, purpurian, pseudopurpurin, ruberythric acid, xanthopurpurin, purpurin, and carboxylic acid as well as lots of healing glucosides.
This plant is of the same family with coffee and for so many years, it has been used as a dye due to Alizarin, an organic compound found in the roots.
The Health Benefits of Madder Root
Let’s take a look at the many health benefits of madder root.
Possesses Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Similar to the health benefits arnica, madder root is a powerful anti-inflammatory that is effective in the treatment of inflammatory conditions associated with arthritis or other forms of joint pains. We all know how important it is for inflammation to be halted because it is usually signifies the early stage of most diseases. And so, if inflammation is not stopped early, then the chances of one falling really ill is very high.
Madder root has proven to be a good anti-inflammatory agent that helps with treating arthritis, joint pain, swelling, redness as well as pain in general. Like we said before, inflammation is the first sign of a disease and should be stopped before we become really sick.
Halts Bleeding
Madder root halts bleeding, whether it is internal or external. In cases of internal bleeding like nosebleeds, the root can be of immense help. Also, in terms of external bleeding, the herb can cure severe skin wounds by making them dry fast. For so many centuries, Madder root has been used to stop internal bleeding and nosebleeds.
Heals Jaundice
One major benefit of madder root is its ability to treat jaundice. Jaundice signifies excess bilirubin in the blood and results in a discoloration of mucous membranes, the skin as well as the white parts of eyeballs into yellow.
The symptoms experienced by people with jaundice include dark urine, light-colored stools, mild rashes, yellow discoloration of the white part of eyeballs, skin, and mucous membranes. Jaundice can occur mostly due to liver-related diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, thalassemia, and malaria.
Madder Root is an Immunomodulator
An immunomodulator is a chemical agent that changes and modifies the response or activity of the immune system. Immunomodulators like madder root are effective in preventing autoimmune diseases and inflammations.
Stops Diarrhea
According to some studies, animals that are fed with madder root usually get healed faster of diarrhea. As you must already know, diarrhea is a frequent need to empty the bowels, and the stool is typically loose and watery. While diarrhea may automatically heal after some days, it is still an uncomfortable experience for its sufferers. However, studies suggest that madder root can effectively heal diarrhea and quickly too.
Treats Kidney Stones
Madder root treats urolithiasis also known as kidney stones. In fact, the herb is also effective for treating other forms of bladder diseases. This is due to the fact that madder root contains ruberythric acid, which helps to tone down magnesium and calcium as well as the formation of bladder stones in the long run. In addition, madder root is an amazing antispasmodic agent that facilitates the easy passage of kidney stones through the urinary system.
Helps to Stop Coughs
Madder root helps to stop coughs as it is a natural expectorant that reacts very fast. An expectorant is a medicine that helps to stimulate the release of sputum by the air passages. And just in case you didn’t know, a sputum is actually a mixture of saliva and mucus formed in the respiratory tract, such as phlegm. This is why expectorants like madder root are very effective in the treatment of coughs.
Increases White Blood Cell Deposits
Madder root increases the deposits of white blood cells or leukocytes. It also helps to treat leucopenia, which is a deficit in the number of white blood cells present in the blood system, making the people at the risk of many infections.
Good for the Skin
Madder root is considered very effective for healing acne, skin rashes, boils, skin irritations, and other conditions of the skin. It can be applied topically to the affected area when made into a paste.
To make the paste more effective, simply mix about 100 grams of madder root powder with around 50 grams each of sandalwood, turmeric, and orange peel. Apply the paste on the skin and allow it to get dry before washing it off.
Side Effects and Precautions
There isn’t enough human research on madder root. There have also been controversies on whether the herb causes cancer or prevents it, but in traditional medicine, madder root is often used. The trick is to use madder root in moderation as it can be very beneficial for some health problems. However, it is advisable for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young children to avoid the use of madder root. The oral consumption of madder root by these group of people may lead to a miscarriage or even birth defects.
Madder root is likely to be unsafe when consumed by mouth, because the chemicals it contains may lead to cancer. There are also concerns that the herb may also result in body fluids, including urine, saliva, urine, tears, sweat, or even breast milk to become red. And so, like we always advise, herbs, including madder root, should be used only under the supervision of a medical practitioner.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of madder root for a person depends on certain factors such as the user’s health, age, and several other conditions. Currently, there is not enough scientific information on the right range of doses for madder root. But remember that herbal products are not necessarily safe and dosages can be essential. Always check with your doctor before using madder root.
The Bottom Line
Madder is a plant whose root is used for medicinal purposes. Although there are serious safety concerns, people take madder root orally for treating menstrual disorders, jaundice, blood disorders, wounds, paralysis, spleen disorders, urinary tract infections, and sciatica, as well as preventing and dissolving kidney stones.
Madder root is also applied to the skin for certain skin issues.
Alizarin, a chemical in madder root, might also help block a protein that is needed by the HIV virus to multiply.
