Evidence supporting the use of: Madder
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Madder (Rubia cordifolia) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Ayurveda, madder is known as "Manjistha" and is often employed for its purported anti-inflammatory, blood-purifying, and detoxifying properties. It has been used in traditional remedies for conditions involving inflammation and chronic joint diseases, including symptoms associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The rationale in these systems is largely based on the plant’s perceived ability to balance the body's humors or doshas, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue healing.
However, scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of madder specifically for RA is limited. Some preclinical studies have demonstrated that compounds in madder (such as mollugin and rubiadin) exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in laboratory settings. Yet, there are no robust clinical trials or systematic reviews directly evaluating madder’s effectiveness in treating RA in humans. Most existing studies are either in vitro or animal-based, and do not directly address rheumatoid arthritis but rather general inflammation or immune responses.
In summary, madder’s use for RA is primarily justified by traditional medicine practices rather than strong scientific validation. The evidence rating is 2, as some early-stage scientific research offers biological plausibility, but there is a lack of high-quality clinical data.
Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone IAbies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides