Indigo (Neela)

Indigofera tinctoria is a small shrub, typically 1-2 meters tall, with pinnately compound leaves and clusters of pink or purple flowers. It is primarily known for its use in producing indigo dye from its leaves and stems. The plant has a deep taproot and can be found in…

Botanical name: Indigofera tinctoria. Also known as: Indigo, True Indigo, Dye Indigo, Nili, Nilini, Tuli, Kaladola, Nilika), Asita, Neelam, Indian Indigo, Neelayamari, Nilam, Averi, Asidai, Attipurashadam, Nilimandu chettu, Aviri, Neela chettu, Habb-ul-Neel.

Properties

Bitter, astringent, cooling, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic.

Dosage

Not specified in the provided sources for internal medicinal use.

Classical attributes

Rasa: Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Virya: Ushna (Heating)
Vipaka: Katu (Pungent)

Benefits

Detoxification of blood and liver
Reduces inflammation
Antiseptic properties
Promotes wound healing
Supports respiratory health

Traditional uses

Treatment of skin disorders
Liver disorders
Respiratory ailments
Wound healing
As a dye

Dosha effects

vata: pacifying
kapha: pacifying
pitta: pacifying

Contraindications

Pregnancy
Lactation
Individuals with known sensitivities to indigo.

Side effects

Generally considered safe when used externally as a dye. Internal use may lead to gastrointestinal upset in some individuals.

Interactions

No significant drug interactions are widely documented for medicinal use.

Clinical evidence

Limited clinical data is available for the medicinal use of Indigofera tinctoria. While it has a long history of use in traditional medicine, robust clinical trials are scarce.

Ayurvedic karmas

Rakta shodhana (blood purifier)
Vishaghna (detoxifier)
Kshatahara (wound healer)
Kandughna (anti-itch)
Kushtaghna (treats skin diseases)

Classical clinical indications

Skin diseases (Kushta)
Liver disorders (Yakrut Vikara)
Respiratory conditions (Shwasa Roga)
Wounds (Vrana)
Intestinal worms (Krimi)