Qing Dai (青黛) — Natural Indigo
Qing Dai — natural indigo — is a striking blue-black powder used in Chinese medicine for Fire Toxin, mouth ulcers, purpura and psoriasis. Modern research has confirmed its effect in ulcerative colitis, where it has entered specialist gastroenterology practice.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
- Frequently asked questions
1. Overview
Qing Dai (青黛) — Natural Indigo (Indigo naturalis (from Baphicacanthus)) — is a Chinese herb in the Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Qing Dai |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 青黛 |
| Latin name | Indigo naturalis (from Baphicacanthus) |
| English name | Natural Indigo |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Salty |
| Channels entered | Liver, Lung, Stomach |
| Category | Clear Heat and Resolve Toxicity |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Fire Toxin
- Cools Blood
- Extinguishes Liver-Wind (mild)
Indications
- Mouth ulcers and stomatitis
- Purpura from Blood-Heat
- Psoriasis (topical and internal)
- Ulcerative colitis (modern trial evidence)
- Childhood fever with convulsions (traditional)
4. Dosage
1.5–3g of the powder (often taken with meals)
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Long-term high-dose use in ulcerative colitis has been linked to pulmonary hypertension — use only under specialist supervision
- Contraindicated in Spleen-Cold
- Reduce dose in weak patients
6. Key formulas
Qing Dai is used in a range of bespoke prescriptions rather than a fixed classical formula in modern practice. Consult a qualified TCM herbalist for individual prescription.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Qing Dai where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
8. Frequently asked questions
What is Qing Dai (indigo) used for?
Qing Dai is a cold herb used to clear Heat, resolve toxicity and cool the Blood — for hot, red skin eruptions and mouth sores, coughs with blood from Lung-Heat, and, in modern use, inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis (often applied topically).
What are the benefits of Qing Dai?
Its strong heat-clearing and toxin-resolving action makes it useful for red, hot, inflamed presentations, and it has a long traditional use for febrile rashes and childhood convulsions from Heat.
How is Qing Dai taken?
Because it does not dissolve well, it is usually given in small doses of about 1.5–3g in pills or powders, or used externally, rather than in a standard decoction. A practitioner will advise the right form.
Are there any cautions with Qing Dai?
It is very cold, so it is not suitable for people with a weak, cold digestion, and prolonged internal use should be supervised. Topical and internal use should both be guided by a qualified practitioner.
