Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Indigo known as Nili or Nilini in Ayurveda primarily consists of the dried leaf or root of Indigofera tinctoria. Characterized by Bitter and Pungent tastes with Hot potency it acts as a strong purgative and liver tonic. It is highly revered as a Keshya herb significantly promoting hair growth and treating premature graying and alopecia especially in formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila. Internally it is indicated for severe digestive disorders including constipation and ascites as well as liver and spleen enlargements and poisoning. While safe for external application internal consumption requires medical supervision due to its potent purgative action which helps eliminate accumulated toxins and pacify Kapha and Vata doshas.
Indigo, known in Ayurveda as Nīlī or Nīlinī, consists of the dried leaf or root of Indigofera tinctoria. While globally famous as a source of the rich blue dye "Indigo," in Ayurveda, it is a potent medicinal herb. It is highly valued for its ability to treat hair disorders (such as graying and hair loss), severe digestive issues like constipation and ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation), and liver or spleen enlargements. It acts as a strong purgative and a liver tonic.
The Indigo plant is a shrub found throughout India. The leaves and roots are the primary parts used in medicine. In Ayurveda, it is categorized as Keśya (good for hair) and Recanī (purgative). It is a key ingredient in the famous hair oil Nīlibhṛṅgādi Taila. Another variety, Śivanīlī (Indigofera aspalathoides), is a stiff, silvery undershrub used specifically for skin diseases and rheumatism.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India:
Indigo is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Indigo is generally safe for external use (hair oils). Internal use requires caution because it is a strong purgative and has a "hot" potency.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Ecocrop Database (Indigofera tinctoria)
https://ecocrop.fao.org
PubMed – Indigofera tinctoria Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Indigofera+tinctoria
ScienceDirect – Indigofera tinctoria Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/indigofera-tinctoria
SpringerLink – Medicinal Studies on Indigofera Species
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Indigofera Research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Kew Science – Plants of the World Online (Indigofera tinctoria)
https://powo.science.kew.org
World Flora Online – Indigofera tinctoria
https://www.worldfloraonline.org
Q. Can it be taken daily?
Internally, no. It is a strong medicine used for specific conditions like constipation or ascites. Externally (as hair oil), it can be used daily.
Q. When should it be taken?
For digestive or respiratory issues, it is usually taken with honey or warm water. For hair, it is applied as an oil (Taila) before a bath or left overnight.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Powder can be taken with warm water. In hair oil formulations (Nīlibhṛṅgādi), the juice of Indigo is processed with milk (cow, goat, buffalo, and coconut milk).
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Indigo known as Nili or Nilini in Ayurveda primarily consists of the dried leaf or root of Indigofera tinctoria. Characterized by Bitter and Pungent tastes with Hot potency it acts as a strong purgative and liver tonic. It is highly revered as a Keshya herb significantly promoting hair growth and treating premature graying and alopecia especially in formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila. Internally it is indicated for severe digestive disorders including constipation and ascites as well as liver and spleen enlargements and poisoning. While safe for external application internal consumption requires medical supervision due to its potent purgative action which helps eliminate accumulated toxins and pacify Kapha and Vata doshas.
Indigo, known in Ayurveda as Nīlī or Nīlinī, consists of the dried leaf or root of Indigofera tinctoria. While globally famous as a source of the rich blue dye "Indigo," in Ayurveda, it is a potent medicinal herb. It is highly valued for its ability to treat hair disorders (such as graying and hair loss), severe digestive issues like constipation and ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation), and liver or spleen enlargements. It acts as a strong purgative and a liver tonic.
The Indigo plant is a shrub found throughout India. The leaves and roots are the primary parts used in medicine. In Ayurveda, it is categorized as Keśya (good for hair) and Recanī (purgative). It is a key ingredient in the famous hair oil Nīlibhṛṅgādi Taila. Another variety, Śivanīlī (Indigofera aspalathoides), is a stiff, silvery undershrub used specifically for skin diseases and rheumatism.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India:
Indigo is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Indigo is generally safe for external use (hair oils). Internal use requires caution because it is a strong purgative and has a "hot" potency.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) – Ecocrop Database (Indigofera tinctoria)
https://ecocrop.fao.org
PubMed – Indigofera tinctoria Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Indigofera+tinctoria
ScienceDirect – Indigofera tinctoria Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/indigofera-tinctoria
SpringerLink – Medicinal Studies on Indigofera Species
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Indigofera Research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Kew Science – Plants of the World Online (Indigofera tinctoria)
https://powo.science.kew.org
World Flora Online – Indigofera tinctoria
https://www.worldfloraonline.org
Q. Can it be taken daily?
Internally, no. It is a strong medicine used for specific conditions like constipation or ascites. Externally (as hair oil), it can be used daily.
Q. When should it be taken?
For digestive or respiratory issues, it is usually taken with honey or warm water. For hair, it is applied as an oil (Taila) before a bath or left overnight.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Powder can be taken with warm water. In hair oil formulations (Nīlibhṛṅgādi), the juice of Indigo is processed with milk (cow, goat, buffalo, and coconut milk).
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem