Herbal Home Remedies Blog

Dyer’s madder, robbia, Rubia tinctorum

Madder is a perennial plant indigenous to southern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa and cultivated in other regions. The medicinal part is the dried root, which contains 2% to 4% anthraquinone derivatives and glycosides. Principal components are ruberythric acid, alizarin, pseudopurpurin, rubiadin, lucidin, and lucidin 3-0-primeveroside. Its mechanism of action stems from the Ca2+ chelating properties of anthraquinones. Madder may also be mutagenic and carcinogenic because of the lucidin component. It’s available as dried root, extract, and capsules.

Reported uses

Madder is used as an antispasmodic, a diuretic, and a prophylactic and treatment for kidney stones. It’s also added to foods as a colorant.

Administration

• Capsules: 1 capsule by mouth three times a day for up to 2 months
• Extract: 20 gtt by mouth three times a day for up to 2 months
• Infusion: 1 to 2 g by mouth four times a day for up to 2 months.

Hazards

Madder has been associated with contact dermatitis, cancer, and red discoloration of perspiration, saliva, tears, urine, and bone. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding shouldn’t use madder.

Safety Risk Because of the risk of toxicity, madder is not recommended.

Clinical considerations

• Warn patient about the possible risks of mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of madder.
• If patient has suspected kidney stontell him to discuss conventional treatments with health care provider before using this herb.
• Instruct patient who takes madder to notify health care provider about planned, suspected, or known pregnancy
• Inform patient that madder may discolor body fluids and objects they touch such as contact lenses.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that. he’s taking when obtaining a new prescnption.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Research has confirmed the carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of madder.