Manjistha Tea Benefits, Side Effects, How to make it

Manjistha or Indian Madder is one of the best blood-purifying herbs that detoxify the liver, blood and skin. It is used to treat many skin conditions as per Ayurvedic texts. Herbal teas are popular nowadays as many people are turning to natural remedies nowadays for a healthy life. So, how does Manjistha Tea work? Read on to know everything about Manjistha and its benefits, side effects and much more.

In this article, you will read:

• What is Manjistha and how does it work?
• How does the Manjistha herb work?
• Qualities of Manjistha
• Benefits of Manjistha herb
• What is Manjistha Tea?
• Benefits of Manjistha Tea
• How to make Manjistha Tea
• How to make Manjistha Decoction
• Home remedies with Manjistha
• Side effects of Manjistha herb (tea/powder)
• Manjistha Contradictions, Safety and Interactions
• FAQs

Manjistha – How does it work?

Manjistha is an Ayurvedic herb that has a bitter and astringent flavor. It is known to pacify the Kapha and Pitta dosha and has been traditionally used for centuries to purify the blood and liver. There are many ways you can consume Manjistha such as tea, powder, and decoction. It all comes down to your preference.

A fascinating herb, it also purifies the lymphatic system. Manjistha is mainly used to break down blockages to enable proper blood flow and remove stagnant blood.

Manjistha herb can be used both internally and externally to promote skin health. For instance, iYURA Manjish Glow Elixir from The Ayurveda Experience is one of the best-selling natural face oils that promote radiant and glowing skin.

How does Manjistha herb work?

A Master Charaka, Manjistha is categorized in Ayurveda as:

• Varnya – a group of herbs that improve skin quality, lustre and glow
• Jvarahara – herbs that relieve fever
• Varnya – herbs that are good for skin health
• Vishaghna – an anti-toxic, anti-poisonous group of herbs

Master Sushruta classifies Manjistha among the Pitta balancing group of herbs.

Qualities of Manjistha

• As per Ayurvedic texts, Manjistha has a bitter, astringent and mildly sweet flavor.
• Due to its bitter, astringent and sweet flavor, it helps balance the Pitta dosha. As it fights Pitta, it can help treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, pimple, vitiligo and more.
• Because of its hot potency, Manjistha also balances Kapha Dosha and is useful in diabetes, obesity, and skin conditions related to itching such as allergic dermatitis.
• The plant has yellow gencoside, garancin, mangistin,, algerin, salt contents, zenthgin, and a rich amount of starch.

Benefits of Manjistha herb

So, what does Manjistha do for the body? There are numerous ways Manjistha herb benefits your body. Here are some of them.

• Svarakrut – improves voice. Singers usually chew a small piece of Manjistha before their performance. Its herbal decoction when added with honey is used to gargle which improves the voice quality.
• Varnakrut – helps in enhancing skin quality
• Visha – can be used to treat toxic poisonings such as insect or rodent bites.
• Shotha – carries anti-inflammatory properties. The Methanolic extracts of the Indian Madder reduce any inflammation.
• Yoniruk – treats any gynecological disorders. Manjistha herbal tea is used as a vaginal douche to cleanse the cervix and clear infections.
• Karnaruk – treats ear pain. A herbal oil using Manjistha can relieve pain and infection.
• Akshiruk – treats eye pain. As it can calm down Pitta, Manjistha is used orally to treat eye disorders.
• Raktatisara – can help treat Ulcerative colitis. As it can balance Pitta, Manjistha is used orally as well as decoction enema to treat Ulcerative colitis.
• Kushta – oil and herbal teas of Manjistha can be used both topically and internally to treat skin conditions.
• Other conditions such as diabetes, sinuses, fistula and UTI can be treated using Manjistha.

What is Manjistha Tea?

Phant or hot infusion is a drink that is done by placing the herb into hot water. Infusions are one of the best methods to make teas and tisanes. Tisanes are basically herbal infusions or decoctions made using traditional tea leaves. Tisanes are caffeine-free and can be served cold or hot.

Benefits of Manjistha Tea

Here are some of the traditional uses of Manjistha.

Detoxifying properties

Manjistha tea is capable of breaking down blockages in all channels of the body. This helps in proper blood circulation all over the system.

It also helps in the absorption of nutrition in the cells and cleanses lymph nodes thus reducing the chances of lymphedema.

Boosts immune system

The ability of Manjistha to easily spread across the body along with its intense bitterness kills toxins and flushes out heavy metals naturally from vital organs such as kidneys, liver, spleen, skin and pancreas. The soothing effect of Manjistha tea can calm the nervous system. Furthermore, the antioxidant properties boost your overall immunity.

Skin benefits

Both the external and internal use of Manjistha can enhance your skin quality. When you take Manjistha tea, it cools down the redness/inflammation on the skin and promotes healthy, glowing skin. It also increases the healing of damaged tissues apart from eczema and psoriasis by detoxifying the skin.

Facilitates weight loss

The enhanced liver function improves metabolism that also helps with weight loss.

Anti-inflammatory properties

The herb’s ability to fight free radicals and toxins responsible for inflammation and pain keeps arthritis, gout and glandular swellings at bay.

Fights Gynecological disorders

A clogged lymphatic system can lead to many gynecological problems. Manjistha tea can fight disorders such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, endometriosis, and oligomenorrhea by keeping the lymph nodes clear. It also facilitates a regular and healthy menstruation cycle. Manjistha is also useful for post-natal complaints and severe abdominal pain or bleeding. It is also an excellent remedy to fight PCOS/PCOD symptoms.

For diabetes

The anti-hyperglycemic properties of the Manjistha tea can keep your blood sugar levels in check. The anti-pruritic effects can accelerate the healing of wounds and make it suitable to treat diabetic ulcers.

Carries Cancer prevention properties

Free radicals are one of the main reasons for cancerous cells caused by carcinogenic toxins. Manjistha tea drain these toxins from the body while the antioxidant properties fight free radical damage and reduce chances of getting affected with the deadly disease.

Supports digestive system

Apart from boosting liver function, the astringent properties of Manjistha tea treat constipation, diarrhea, dysentery, worm infestations apart from other GI issues such as loss of appetite and dyspepsia.

Enhances heart health

Apart from purifying the blood, the decoction helps in the regulation of blood pressure and prevents the narrowing of blood vessels, heart blocks and formation of blood clots.

Fights urinary tract conditions

The diuretic and anti-microbial properties treat urinary tract infections and urinary calculi.

How to make Manjistha tea?

Here is how Phant is prepared. The herbal tea preparation is also called brewing and involves:

Pouring hot water over the herbs (or dried leaves or herbal powder).

Waiting for a few minutes (steeping)

Removing the plant part before drinking.

Here is how you can make Manjistha herbal tea at home.

You will need:

• 200ml water
• ¼ tsp Manjistha powder
• Honey to taste

Directions:

Boil 200ml of water in a saucepan.

Pour the boiled water into a cup.

Mix ¼ tsp of Manjistha powder and stir until dissolved.

Allow the herb to steep in the water.

Strain and add 1½ honey to sweeten the tea as the powder has a bitter taste.

Stir well and have your Manjistha tea hot.

How to make Manjistha Kwath (Decoction)

A decoction is a concentrated brew that is prepared by gently simmering different thick/tough parts of herbs such as barks, roots, and woody stems (fresh or dried). It is different from an infusion that is made by steeping (not simmering) the delicate parts of herbs such as leaves, flowers, light stems.

One can say that decoction is really a concentrated herbal tea.

Preparation:

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of Manjistha dried or two teaspoons of Manjistha plant/powder per 1 cup of water to make Manjisthadi Kwath.

How to make:

Bring water to a boil in a heavy pot.

Measure herbs. Use 1 tsp of dried (or 2 tsp of fresh) Manjistha herb for 1 cup of water.

Add the herb to the water and reduce heat so that the water is simmering.

Let the herbs simmer gently for 15-20 minutes.

Strain out the herbs.

Dosage:

NOTE: A decoction is usually taken as a drink ¼ to ½ cup as required.

Based on the herb, you may need to add a little honey to make it tasty. As mentioned above, the Manjistha herb can be bitter so you may need to add few drops of honey.

Another way to make Manjistha Kwath

Take equal parts of Manjistha, Amalaki, Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Kutki, bark of Neem, bark of Pippali, Guduchi and Chandan. One teaspoon of this powder is boiled in a cup of water until one-fourth part of the water remains. Strain it and is ready for consumption.

Take it regularly for few days to flush out toxins from the blood.

Home remedies with Manjistha – What is Manjistha used for?

1.         To fight pimples, dark spots: Use Manjistha to fight dark spots and painful pimples. Use Manjistha powder or grind stem/roots into a fine powder. Mix it well with water and apply it to the affected area.

2.         To fight boils and blisters

Use Manjistha cold infusion to alleviate summer boils and blisters.

Mix 20-30gm of Manjistha powder and soak it in 200-300ml of water. Keep it overnight. Consume it early morning. It acts as a coolant and cools down the body heat.

3.         To soothe burns

Manjistha with red sandalwood and Teak wood are taken in equal quantity and blended with ghee. This paste is applied to burns and scalds. It not only reduces pain and chances of boils but also prevents skin discoloration.

Side effects of Manjistha herb (tea/powder)

Regardless of its numerous benefits, the Manjistha herb carries few side effects.

Manjistha should NOT be taken if you are pregnant or lactating. Having it can change the color of your stool and urine.

Manjistha Contradictions, Safety and Interactions

Consult your medical practitioner if you are taking anticoagulants such as Warfarin and Coumadin as Manjistha has anti-platelet action.

Manjistha can also cause color change in urine to orange or brown.

If you are dealing with any health condition, consult your medical practitioner first before taking Manjistha tea.

FAQs

Can I buy Manjistha tea on Amazon?

Though Manjistha tea powder is available on Amazon India, it is currently unavailable in Amazon USA.

What is Manjistha good for?

Manjistha tea is good for purifying the blood and detoxifying the liver. It also carries numerous benefits on your overall health which includes enhancing skin quality, treating diabetes, maintain cardio health and much more.

How to drink Manjistha powder?

Take ¼-½ tsp of Manjistha powder. Mix it with honey and swallow it with water after lunch or dinner. We recommend consulting your Ayurvedic health practitioner for best results.

How to eat Manjistha?

Manjistha herb can be quite bitter and hence is best taken in powder or tablet form. You can also make Manjistha herbal tea or concoction and consume it as recommended by your Ayurvedic practitioner.

How to make Manjistha powder?

Take dry Manjistha herb and grind it into a fine powder. Manjistha powder is also readily available in Ayurvedic stores.

How to take Manjistha powder internally?

You can consume Manjistha powder by mixing it with honey, as tea or as a concoction.

Can I use Manjistha oil for skin whitening?

Absolutely. You can apply Manjistha oil before bedtime to promote skin whitening. It removes blemishes, dark spots and gives you radiant, looking skin.

Does Manjistha cause cancer?

No. Rather Manjistha fights free radicals that trigger cancer and can help prevent cancer.

Can Manjistha be used for hair growth?

Yes. Combine 1 tbsp. Manjistha powder with 1 tbsp. of Amla powder, make a paste using few drops of water and apply to your hair. Let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse using a gentle, herbal shampoo.