Dyers Madder: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

Dyer’s madder is one of the oldest dyeing plants in the world. Its use as a medicinal plant is just as long. Meanwhile, it is used in the health field only in homeopathic preparation, because some ingredients are considered carcinogenic.

Occurrence and cultivation of dyer’s madder.

Dyer’s madder is a deciduous, perennial herbaceous plant and reaches a growth height of 50 centimeters to one meter. The dyer’s madder plant has the scientific name Rubia tinctorum and is also popularly known as true dyer’s madder or madder for short. It belongs to the genus of dyer’s reds and the red family, which is part of the gentian-like plants. The Romans gave this traditional dyeing plant the name Rubia, because of the red dye in the roots. Dyer’s madder is a deciduous, perennial herbaceous plant and reaches a growth height of 50 centimeters to one meter. The roots are reddish and widely branched. On the leaves and the edges of the stem, the plant forms backward hairs, called trichomes. Thus, these areas are very rough. Furthermore, the square stem spreads out very much and thus gets a better grip. The leaves have a short stalk, measure 3 to 11 centimeters in length and have an elliptical to lance-like shape. The flowering period includes the months of June, July and August. The small flowers are yellow in color and funnel shaped. The original distribution of the dyer’s madder was in the eastern Mediterranean region and the Near East. In Central and Western Europe, wild offshoots formed from the cultivated plant. The plant itself prefers warm locations and can be found in fields, vineyards, rubble areas, and sunny roadsides. The madder plant smells like wormwood and exhibits a pungent taste.

Effect and application

Dyer’s madder has been used primarily as a dyeing plant since ancient times. Throughout Central Europe and the Mediterranean region, it was used to dye textiles, as its production was simple and inexpensive. Thus, the dyer’s madder developed into one of the most important cultivated plants and advanced to one of the most important trade goods between Europe and Asia. The root of the plant was used for this purpose. It had to be three years old and, after harvesting in spring or fall, was dried in an oven and then crushed. The red dye alizarin is only produced during the drying process. In addition to this dye, the root also contains purpurin as well as anthraquinone. The dyeing process was relatively demanding. In later times, only the Ottomans and the Indians achieved the desired intense red hue. Together with alum and mordant, wool in particular was dyed in Europe. The color has high lightfastness and resistance to washing. It was mostly used for Turkish headdresses and uniforms. In combination with various metal oxides or metal salts, it was possible to produce the so-called madder varnish. Madder varnish was used in all artistic techniques. Alizarin madder varnish was also used as a pigment, for example in the production of wallpaper, artists’ and printing inks. The dust of the dye should never be inhaled, as it has a toxic effect. The alizarin it contains irritates the eyes and skin. In various folk medicines, dyer’s madder has been considered a medicinal plant for centuries. It was used both internally and externally. Here, too, the root of the plant was used. Among other things, it contains glycosides, flavonoids, rubichloric acid, citric acid, tannins, pectins and a small amount of fatty oils. The leafy stems, the squeezed juice as well as the seeds were also used in natural medicine. The fields of application were manifold. Indicated was the dyer’s madder plant for diseases of the urinary tract – such as bladder and kidney stones -, sciatic pain, gout, osteochondrosis, rickets and anemia. External application was supposed to help with lichen, barks and stains. Since 1993, there is no longer a license as a medicinal plant in Germany, because some ingredients – such as alizarin and lucidin – are suspected of causing cancer. Especially the long-term treatment showed in laboratory tests the development of liver and kidney tumors. Therefore, the coloring of consumable food should not be done either. Children’s and baby clothes should not be dyed with madder. Especially when sweating, the carcinogenic ingredients can be released from the textile. Only in homeopathic preparation the plant can still be used internally.The health use is supported by its laxative, astringent and appetizing effect. In addition, it promotes the formation of bile secretions, is diuretic and tonic.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention.

For the maintenance of health or recovery of the human organism, only homeopathic intake is possible in Germany. Homeopathy produces a mother tincture from madder for the treatment of anemia, malnutrition, amenorrhea and spleen disorders. In other countries, the madder plant continues to be used for naturopathic purposes. Due to its diuretic effect, plant extracts have been used since ancient times for diseases of the bladder and kidneys. Especially the inflammation-causing bacteria are thus flushed out of the urinary tract. Likewise, recent studies also confirm the positive effects in the treatment of kidney stones. Gout patients can also take advantage of the detoxification associated with the diuretic effect and alleviate their suffering. Since gout is caused by increased storage of uric acid crystals and can be dissolved as well as flushed out by taking madder. In the Arabic cultural area, dyer’s madder is also used in obstetrics, as it is said to have a uterus-cleansing effect. For gynecology usable, would also be the menstruation-regulating effect of the madder plant.