Indigo, True Indigo, dye indigo

Indigofera tinctoria

Physical Characteristics

Indigofera tinctoria is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Probably originally from Malaysia, the plant now has a pantropical distribution.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Colouring The deep blue dye obtained from the leaves is sometimes used to counteract the slightly yellow colour of icing sugar[301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Antihaemorrhoidal Epilepsy Febrifuge Kidney Mouthwash Skin Stings Stomachic A leaf infusion (sometimes combined with honey or milk) is used to treat a range of disorders including epilepsy and nervous disorders; asthma and bronchitis; fever; complaints of the stomach, liver, kidney and spleen; and as a rabies prophylactic[299 ]. Applied externally, the leaves are made into an ointment for treating skin diseases, wounds, sores, ulcers and haemorrhoids[299 ]. A tincture of the seed is used in India to kill lice[299 ]. A root preparation is applied to relieve toothache, syphilis, gonorrhoea and kidney stones[299 ]. A watery root paste is applied topically in India to treat worm-infested wounds[299 ]. A root infusion is used there as an antidote against snakebites and to treat insect and scorpion stings[299 ].

Known Hazards

None known