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Safety Issues
The indigo species Indigofera tinctoriahas a history of use in traditional medical systems, and is regarded by herbalists as safe, other than the occasional allergic reactions that have been reported. 1 However, comprehensive safety tests have not been performed. For this reason, indigo should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, young children, or individuals with severe liver or kidney disease. Safety in other individuals is unknown.
The species Indigofera spicata(formerly Indigofera endecaphylla), however,is poisonous: it has killed cattle and other animals 2 and has caused birth defects in rats. 3 Other indigo species have also been found to be lethal. 4 For this reason, it is important to avoid ingesting indigo internally unless you are absolutely certain that it has been harvested and processed by expert, reliable individuals.
References
- Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, Mo: Facts and Comparisons; 1993: Indigo monograph.
- Miller R, Smith CR. Seeds of Indigofera species: their content of amino acids that may be deleterious. J Agric Food Chem. 1973;21:909–912.
- Pearn JH, Hegarty MP. Indospicine—the teratogenic factor from Indigoferaspicata extract causing cleft palate. Br J Exp Path. 1970;51:34–36.
- Hegarty MP, Kelly WR, McEwan D, Williams OJ, Cameron R. Hepatotoxicity to dogs of horse meat contaminated with indospicine. Aust Vet J. 65(11):337-40.
