Indigo leaves (Indigofera tinctoria)
Synopsis of indigo leaves
Indigo leaves are derived from plants of the Indigofera genus, particularly Indigofera tinctoria, commonly known as true indigo. Native to India, Africa, and Southeast Asia, this plant is best known as the historical source of natural indigo dye, but it also holds a respected place in Ayurvedic, Unani, and folk medicine for its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin-soothing properties.
The leaves contain bioactive compounds such as indican, indirubin, flavonoids, and tannins, which contribute to their traditional use in treating skin disorders, wounds, infections, and inflammatory conditions. When fermented or processed, indican breaks down into indigo (the blue pigment) and indirubin, the latter of which has shown anti-leukemic and anti-inflammatory activity in modern studies.
Medicinally, indigo leaves are applied externally as pastes, powders, or oils to treat eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, boils, ulcers, and insect bites. They are also used to cool inflammation, reduce itching, and promote wound healing. In some systems, decoctions of the leaves are used internally in small amounts for liver detoxification, fever, or as a blood purifier, though internal use is less common due to potential toxicity if improperly prepared.
Historical Use
In Ayurveda, indigo (nila) is considered a cooling, detoxifying herb that helps balance Pitta and Kapha, especially in the context of skin and liver disorders. Indigo leaf paste was used topically for inflammatory skin issues, while hair oils infused with indigo were (and still are) popular for treating premature graying and strengthening hair follicles.
In Unani medicine, indigo leaves were used to manage fevers, spleen disorders, and wounds, as well as in compounds for cleansing the blood and cooling the body.
Culturally, indigo has been important not only as a medicine but also for spiritual and ceremonial use, due to its deep blue color symbolizing protection, power, and purification in various traditions.
Today, indigo leaf is widely used in natural hair dyes and herbal skin care, particularly for scalp conditions, dandruff, and hair strengthening, and is gaining renewed interest in natural dermatological therapies for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. It remains a powerful example of a botanical used for both healing and cultural expression across centuries.
Indigo leaves is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Acne (Traditional)
Anxiety (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Asthma (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Belching (Traditional)
Bladder Infection (Traditional)
Boils (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Cancer (prevention) (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Chills (Traditional)
Cholera (Traditional)
Colds (antiviral) (Traditional)
Colds (decongestant) (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Ear Infection or Earache (Traditional)
Eczema (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Gonorrhea (Traditional)
Gout (Traditional)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
indigo leaves is used to support these body systems
Blood (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Products containing indigo leaves
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C
Nature's Sunshine VS-C® TCM
