MANJISTHA (Rubia cordifolia)

Godiva by João RuaS

Manjistha, or indian madder, is one of Ayurveda’s great red roots, known for its relationship to the blood. t’s a plant of movement. It helps to purify the blood and remind the body and spirit that nothing living was meant to stay stagnant.

Traditionally, Manjistha is used to support circulation and lymphatic flow. It’s especially beloved when there is heat, puffiness, dullness or congestion in the tissues.

Spiritually, it feels like when red earth meets water and creates a potent red river moving through the body, carrying away old grief. Old heat. Old shame. Old stories stored in the blood. A bloodletting without the blood.

The Beloved doesn’t always arrive as sweetness and romance. Sometimes the Beloved shakes you awake after lifetimes of deep slumber and asks for the courage to let life circulate again.