Witnessed by: TCM
Chinese indigo (Strobilanthes cusia), of the Acanthaceae family. Shade-loving herb; the medicine is the processed leaf pigment; native range: southern China and Southeast Asia. Globally recognized as qing dai (青黛) in Chinese, and natural indigo, indigo powder in English. The part used is dried indigo powder prepared from the leaves and stems. Fine deep indigo-blue powder, light and floating, faintly grassy in smell.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CHINESE INDIGO
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Chinese indigo
- Scientific name
- Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze
- Family
- Acanthaceae
Form
- Part used
- dried indigo powder prepared from the leaves and stems
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- salty
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Lung · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat, resolves fire toxicity, cools the blood, and settles the Liver to stop childhood convulsions
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in Stomach or Spleen cold; may cause nausea and loose stools
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