Botanical Name - Rubia Cordifolia
Common Name - Heart Leaved Madder Root
Other Name - Manjistha, Dyers Madder, Madder
Part Used - Roots
Uses - Red Fabric Dye, Ayurvedic, Food Additives And Paper Dyeing

Rubia cardifolia commonly known as India Madder is an evergreen plant native to Himalayas. It is an economical and important source of red dye producing plant for the textile industry. The roots of Madder produce a variety of red colour includes orange reds, brick red, blood red and fiery reds. The color depends on the climatic condition of the environment where the plant grows and soil where the roots grew, their age, the mineral content of the water used for dyeing, the temperature set up of the process, on the dye pot used, and also on how much madder used relative to the fiber. Madder can be used on cotton, leather, wool and silk. Madder is one of the most valuable herb used in Ayurveda. It is known as artificial colouring agent. Ayurveda its medicinal uses are also emphasised. Madder is the best known for blood purification and helpful in curing various skin diseases.