Indian madder

Indian madder, scientifically known as Rubia cordifolia, is an East Indian plant historically used for dyeing in the Orient. It belongs to the genus Rubia, which comprises about 80 species of perennial plants in the madder family. These plants are recognized by their whorls of lance-shaped leaves and small, yellowish flowers.12

The roots of Indian madder, like other madder species, contain phytochemicals, including quinone derivatives, which have been of interest to pharmaceutical researchers. Historically, madder plants were cultivated for a red dye called alizarin, extracted from their roots. This dye was used to color fabrics, producing shades of red, pink, and purple. Evidence of madder dye use dates back to ancient Egyptian mummies. Madder was also used medicinally and, in the 19th century, its properties were utilized to study bone development. The synthetic production of alizarin has since limited the commercial use of madder as a dyestuff to artisanal industries.2