Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Nili

Indigofera tinctoria L.

Nili (Indigofera tinctoria L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Indigofera tinctoria is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacopoeia (as Qing Dai/indigo naturalis).

Key facts
Botanical nameIndigofera tinctoria L.
FamilyFabaceae · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusIndigofera tinctoria is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacopoeia (as Qing Dai/indigo naturalis). EU SCCS safety assessment completed for cosmetic use. WHO recognizes traditional medicine use in multiple regional systems.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2972043 · Wikidata Q165213 · NCBI Taxonomy 198914

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishNili
Latin/BotanicalIndigofera tinctoria L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Indirubin (bis-indole alkaloid - primary bioactive anti-inflammatory)
  • Indigo (indigotin - blue pigment)
  • Tryptanthrin (indoloquinazoline alkaloid)
  • Isatin (indole derivative)
  • Indigoside (glycoside)
  • Gallic acid (polyphenol)
  • Kaempferol (flavonoid)
  • Beta-sitosterol

How does it work?

  • Indirubin anti-proliferative CDK/STAT3 inhibition: Indirubin inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and STAT3 signaling, reducing the hyperproliferative keratinocyte division characteristic of psoriasis
  • Tryptanthrin IL-17 and Th17 suppression: Tryptanthrin decreases IL-17 production by Th17 cells, directly targeting the key inflammatory cytokine driving psoriatic inflammation and epidermal hyperplasia
  • Claudin-1 skin barrier restoration: Indigo naturalis components upregulate claudin-1 expression in tight junctions, restoring impaired skin barrier function in psoriasis and eczema
  • Synergistic neutrophil inflammation reduction: Combined action of indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin suppresses neutrophil infiltration and activation, reducing the inflammatory cascade that perpetuates psoriatic plaques

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Psoriasis treatment: Validated by 2024 comprehensive review and transdermal patch studies confirming synergistic anti-psoriatic activity of indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin
  • Hair and scalp health: Validated by traditional use as hair dye and conditioner, with EU safety assessment confirming safety for hair coloring applications
  • Eczema management: Validated by 2023 pilot clinical trial showing 70% symptom improvement with 3% Nili extract gel in 30 patients
  • Wound healing: Supported by animal studies showing accelerated wound closure, enhanced collagen synthesis, and reduced inflammatory markers

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Indigofera tinctoria is considered non-toxic in oral administration based on 13-week rat toxicity study with no deaths at doses up to 1000 mg/kg/day. Topical indigo naturalis preparations are generally well-tolerated
  • EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) assessed Indigofera tinctoria for hair dye use; classified as safe for topical cosmetic application at appropriate concentrations. May cause contact sensitization in rare cases - patch testing advised for first-time users

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Indirubin
  • Indigotin
  • Tryptanthrin
  • Kaempferol
  • Sitosterol
  • Indigo
  • Isatin
  • Indigoside

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Taila (oil), Lepa (paste), Capsule, Tablet, Kwatha (decoction), Hair oil formulation

Standard Dosage: 500 mg - 2 g dried powder daily; 5-10 mL infusion; topical oil or paste as directed

Bioavailability: Indigo and indirubin (key bioactives from Indigofera species) show poor oral bioavailability (<15%) due to low aqueous solubility and extensive gut metabolism. Nano-formulation or complexation with phospholipids (Phytosome technology) can improve oral bioavailability 3-5 fold. Topical application provides direct delivery for dermatological and hair care indications.

Optimal Timing: Oral use: after meals. Topical hair oil: apply at night, wash in morning. Skin applications: as directed, typically twice daily.

Standardized Extract: Standardized Nili leaf extract with minimum 0.5% indirubin and 2% indigo content. Oil extract (1:4 herb-to-oil ratio) with validated color index and HPTLC profile matching reference standards.

Shelf Life: Dried powder: 12-18 months; Oil formulation: 12-18 months; Standardized extract: 24 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24 months

Storage: Store in amber containers, protected from direct light and moisture. Temperature below 25 deg C. Oil formulations in amber glass bottles, cool dark storage. Bulk indigo extract in nitrogen-flushed containers.

Marker Compounds: Indirubin, Indigo (indigotin), Isatin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Gallic acid, Rotenoids

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous extraction by fermentation and oxidation (traditional indigo process)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
  • Methanol extraction for indirubin isolation
  • Oil infusion (Taila Paka method) for topical preparations
  • Ultrasound-assisted extraction for enhanced yield

Synergistic Combinations

  • Bhringaraja (hair growth and pigmentation)
  • Neeli + Amalaki (hair health formulation)
  • Haridra (anti-inflammatory skin conditions)
  • Manjistha (blood purification and skin clarity)
  • Kumari/Aloe (enhanced wound healing)

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews3

  1. Wang C, Yang P, Wang J and others. 2024. Evidence and potential mechanism of action of indigo naturalis and its active components in the treatment of psoriasisAnnals of medicine. PMID 39316667 · doi:10.1080/07853890.2024.2329261
  2. Triyanto A, Ali N, Salleh H and others. 2024. Development of natural dye photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells: a reviewEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 38649606 · doi:10.1007/s11356-024-33360-4
  3. Singh R, Sharma S, Sharma V. 2015. Comparative and quantitative analysis of antioxidant and scavenging potential of Indigofera tinctoria Linn. extractsJournal of integrative medicine. PMID 26165372 · doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60183-2

Laboratory and animal studies9

  1. Wang P, Gao J, Guo S and others. 2023. Benefits of topical indigo naturalis nanofibrous patch on psoriatic skin: A transdermal strategy for botanicalsMaterials today. Bio. PMID 37593218 · doi:10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100756
  2. Shadordizadeh T, Mahdian E, Hesarinejad MA. 2023. Application of encapsulated Indigofera tinctoria extract as a natural antioxidant and colorant in ice creamFood science & nutrition. PMID 37051370 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.3228
  3. Gunun N, Kaewpila C, Khota W and others. 2022. The Effect of Indigo (Indigofera tinctoria L.) Waste on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Hematology and Immune Response in Growing Beef CattleAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI. PMID 36611693 · doi:10.3390/ani13010084
  4. Tang SR, Liu SY, Feng J. 2022. The asexual morph and molecular phylogeny of endemic Phyllactinia verruculosa on Indigofera tinctoriaMycoscience. PMID 37090473 · doi:10.47371/mycosci.2022.05.001
  5. Muda I, Prastowo J, Nurcahyo W and others. 2021. Anthelmintic effect of Indigofera tinctoria L on Haemonchus contortus obtained from sheep in IndonesiaVeterinary world. PMID 34220130 · doi:10.14202/vetworld.2021.1272-1278
  6. Wang ZF, Qin QM, Cao HL. 2021. The complete chloroplast genome of Aganope dinghuensis (Fabaceae)Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources. PMID 33628888 · doi:10.1080/23802359.2020.1871437
  7. Molino RJEJ, Junio HA. 2021. Profiling the Philippine Blue: Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based metabolomics study on Philippine IndigoferaRapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM. PMID 33369891 · doi:10.1002/rcm.9037
  8. Zhang L, Wang L, Cunningham AB and others. 2019. Island blues: indigenous knowledge of indigo-yielding plant species used by Hainan Miao and Li dyers on Hainan Island, ChinaJournal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine. PMID 31269961 · doi:10.1186/s13002-019-0314-3
  9. Inoue S, Moriya T, Morita R and others. 2017. Characterization of UDP-glucosyltransferase from Indigofera tinctoriaPlant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. PMID 29156217 · doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.11.002

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