Indian Madder

 The Indian Madder is a perennial herbaceous climber, ehich belongs to the plant family Rubiceae. The climber has long, cylindric roots and a thin red bark. The stems are long, rough, grooved and slightly woody at the base. The petioles are quadrangular and sometimes prickly. The cordate or heart- shaped leaves are 3.8-9 cm. long, 5 nerved and located on the stems in whorls of our. The lower leaves are larger than the ones above. The 3-mm. long flowers are found in clusters. They have a five- lobed corolla which is greenish and devided close to the base. The round, smooth and shiny fruits are 4-6 mm. in diameter and purplish black in colour when ripe.

MEDICINAL USE:

* Subsides swellings, heals wounds and helps in skin disorders.
* Anthelmintic or helps in expelling worms, in diarrhoea and dysentery.
* Dysmennorhoea or painful menstruation and amenorrhoea or absence of menstruation.
* Leprosy and vitiligo or hypopigmentation.


HOW TO USE:

* The root of the plant is crushed and made into a paste. This is applied over swellings, wounds and skin ailments.
* The decoction of the root expels worms and helps in diarrhoea and dysentery.
* The same decoction mentioned above is used to take care of dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, diabetes and kidney stones.
* To take care of leprosy and vitiligo or hypopigmentation, the decoction of the root is mixed with some honey and administered.

PARTS USED:

The roots.

DOSE:

As recommended above.
Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp


1 litre = 7 or 8 cups