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
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.
