Indigofera tinctoria

DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
MEDICINAL PLANTS

Indigofera tinctoria L.

Family: Leguminosae
Common Names: True Indigo, Indian Indigo, Black Henna
Vernacular Names: Neel (Hindi), Neeli (Sanskrit) Neeli Avuri (Tamil), Neelayamari (Malayalam)
Plant Description
Indigofera tinctoria is a deciduous spreading tropical shrub or subshrub of the pea family
Habit: Shrub
Height: upto 1.5m
Leaves: Light green, pinnately compound and alternate
Flowers: Pink or violet, complete, hermaphrodite, zygomorphic, papilionaceous
Stem: Cylindrical, full, and erect, with a woody base
Root system: Taproot
Fruit: A pair of cylindrical follicles that are 12 cm long and contain many seeds
Seeds: Minute, with a coma that is 2 cm long
Beneficial Properties
 Dye
Indigofera tinctoria is the primary source of indigo dye, which is used to color cotton yarn.
 Traditional medicine
Indigofera tinctoria has been used in traditional medicine in India and China for many ailments, including:
 Skin diseases: Seeds were used to treat skin diseases, swellings, and wounds.
 Snake bites: In India, root paste was used as an antidote against snake bites.
 Liver diseases: Leaves were recommended for liver toxicity.
 Heart palpitations: Extract of the plant was known to be effective in treating heart palpitations.
 Asthma: Dry powder was used in the treatment of asthma.
 Nervous disorders: Leaf extracts were used to treat nervous disorders.
 Stomach, liver, and spleen disorders: Leaf extracts were used to treat stomach, liver, and spleen disorders.
 Rabies: Used as a prophylactic.
 Sore skin, ulcers, and hemorrhoids: Lotion was used for these conditions.
 Pharmacological activities
Indigofera tinctoria has many pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.