Overview
Indigo is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for inflammation. Indigo (Neeli) is the Keshya for hair: bitter, hot, Kapha-Vata pacifying. Leaf paste darkens and strengthens roots; internally it clears Kushtha and worms.
How Indigo Helps with Inflammation
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Indigo has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing inflammation:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Safety & Precautions
Our sources do not list specific contraindications or drug interactions for Indigo, so this section stays short.
What the classical properties do tell you: Indigo is hot in potency and dry in quality. In Ayurvedic terms, hot and dry herbs are used cautiously by people with a strong Pitta tendency, which shows up as heat, acidity or inflammation.
External use as a hair paste is the most familiar way people meet this plant. Internal use for worms, skin disease or liver support should be supervised by a qualified practitioner, since our sources give no standard internal dose.
If you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medication, speak to your doctor before using it internally.
Other Herbs for Inflammation
See all herbs for inflammation on the Inflammation page.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
Twenty types of prameha classified by dosha: 10 kapha (curable), 6 pitta (palliable), 4 vata (incurable) Kapha types: water-like, sugarcane-juice-like, dense, layered, white, seminal, cold, slow-flowing, saliva-like, sand-containing urines Pitta types: alkali-like, black, indigo, turmeric-colored, madder-colored, blood-containing urines Vata types: bone-marrow, vital-essence, muscle-fat, lymph-mixed urines Obese patients require depletion therapy first;
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Ch. 6
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Ch. 6
— Nilini (indigo — Indigofera tinctoria), Saindhava (rock salt), and Krishna Lavana (black salt) should be added and powdered.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)
Another hair-blackening paste: Triphala, Nilika (indigo, Indigofera tinctoria) leaves, iron filings (Loha), and Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba) in equal parts, ground with sheep's urine -- this is renowned as a hair-blackening (Krishnikara) preparation.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
This is one of the most comprehensive natural hair-darkening formulations, combining the tannin-iron chemistry of Triphala with indigo's natural dye, Bhringaraja's melanogenesis-promoting action, and the alkaline sheep urine as a mordant to fix the color.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
With seeds of hrasva-shigru (small Moringa), or combined with bronze and nili (indigo), anti-helminthic pressed nasya ground with urine should be applied.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.