Age Ayurveda Nighantu Ayurvedic practitioner? List or verify your practice

Nili

Indigofera tinctoria L.

Nili (Indigofera tinctoria L.) is a plant drug, also called Kalkesi, Nilakah and Nilini. Indigofera tinctoria is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

Key facts
Botanical nameIndigofera tinctoria L.
FamilyFabaceae · other entries in this family
OrderFabales
Pharmacopoeia statusIndigofera tinctoria is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 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 in other languages
SanskritKalkesi, नीलकः (nīlakaḥ), नीलिनी (nīlinī), Nilpuspa
Hindiनील (nīla)
EnglishIndian Indigo, Indigo, Indigo Plant
Tamilஅவுரி, Avuri, Neeli, நீலி
MalayalamAmari, Avuri, Nila
TeluguAviri, Kondannili, Nili, Nili Chettu
KannadaKadu Nili, Karunili, Neeligida, Nili, Olleneeli
MarathiNili
BengaliNil
GujaratiGali, Gari, Nil
UrduNeel
PunjabiNeel
OriyaNili
AssameseNilbam

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); efloraofindia, Indigofera tinctoria Sanskrit list: नीलक nilaka, with रञ्जनी ranjani, श्यामलिका shyamalika, रङ्गपुष्पी rangapushpi; efloraofindia, Indigofera tinctoria Sanskrit list: नीलिणी nilini; efloraofindia, Indigofera tinctoria Tamil list: நீலி nili; efloraofindia, Indigofera tinctoria page: Hindi "नील (neel), नीलिका (nilika)"; efloraofindia, Indigofera tinctoria: Tamil "அவுரி (avuri), நீலி (nili)". How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2015 to 2024, every one with a DOI.

  • 3Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 9Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

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?

The mechanisms below are reported from research on indigo naturalis and its components.

  • Indirubin anti-proliferative CDK/STAT3 inhibition: Studies report that indirubin inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and STAT3 signaling and reduces keratinocyte proliferation
  • Tryptanthrin IL-17 and Th17 suppression: Studies report that tryptanthrin decreased IL-17 production by Th17 cells
  • Claudin-1 skin barrier restoration: Indigo naturalis components were reported to upregulate claudin-1 expression in tight junctions, supporting skin barrier function
  • Synergistic neutrophil inflammation reduction: Indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin together were reported to suppress neutrophil infiltration and activation

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Psoriasis: a review and transdermal patch studies have reported combined anti-psoriatic activity of indigo, indirubin, and tryptanthrin.
  • Hair and scalp health: traditionally used as a hair dye and conditioner. An EU safety assessment has reported on its safety for hair coloring applications.
  • Eczema: a pilot clinical study reported symptom improvement with a Nili extract gel.
  • Wound healing: animal studies have reported faster wound closure, increased collagen synthesis, and reduced inflammatory markers.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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

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

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

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

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 (traditionally combined for 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

Reference lists that include it

Gallic acid, Kaempferol, Quercetin

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.