Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany
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Rubia tinctorum L. L.
Rubiaceae
- Dyer`s Madder
- Madder
- fuwwa فوة
- pu'at ha-tzaba'im
- פּוּאַת הַצַּבָּעִים
Climber, Phanerophyte shrub
- Mediterranean maquis and forest
and other botanical details.
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Rubia tinctorum L. L.
| System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatological | Skin diseases & inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Decoct root + stipes, mix + vinegar & spread over affected skin. |
Root, Stipes | Z |
| Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) | Nosebleed |
Haemostatic | Decoct root + stipes (see NOTES 1) in water & drink x3 tablespoons/day. |
Root, Stipes | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Jaundice |
Hepatic | Decoct root + stipes in water & drink x3 cups/day. |
Root, Stipes | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Liver cleanser |
Hepatic | Cook root in water & drink. |
Root | Z |
| Haematology | Spleen cleanser |
Depurative | Cook root in water & drink. |
Root | Z |
| Infectious Diseases | Leprosy |
Anti-Infective | Use root + vinegar. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Root | Z |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Increases urine output until color looks like blood (See NOTES 1) |
Diuretic | Cook root in water & drink until "there is much blood in the urine" (see NOTES 1). |
Root | Z |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Kidney stones |
Anti-lithic | Decoct root & drink x1 cup/day. |
Root | B |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatic pain in muscles/ joints |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | 1. Cook root in water & drink. |
Root, Stipes | Z |
| Women`s Health | Excessive menstrual bleeding |
Emmenagogue, Haemostatic | Decoct root in water & drink x3 small cups/day. |
Root | Z |
| Women`s Health | Uterine Inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Cook root + stipes in water +"tya" (Ferula asa-foetida) + chamomile. (Admin. not specified.) |
Root, Stipes | Z |
| Women`s Health | Uterine rinse (washout) |
Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic | Cook root + chamomile in water. (Admin. not specified.) |
Root | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER - https://florapal.org/disclaimer/
Notes
Rubia tinctorium is most well known for the vegetable red dye produced from its roots. It has been used since antiquity for dying leather, wool, cotton and silk. 1. In some preparations when Rubia tinctorium is taken orally it appears to cause "blood in the urine". This is due to the red dye it contains.
2. Several preparations for Rubia tinctorium use "stipes". In flowering plants these are stalks supporting some other structure e.g. a flower`s ovary.
Cautions
Rubia tinctorium contains lucidin (1,2,3-hydroxy anthraquinone) which has genotoxic and prabably carcinogenic activity particularly to liver & kidney. Not recommended for oral use.