Baphicacanthus cusia

Botanical

What is it

Baphicacanthus cusia (also called Strobilanthes cusia) is a tropical shrub whose leaves yield indigo dye and the Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs Da Qing Ye (leaf) and Qing Dai (processed indigo powder).

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Limited Evidence

Qing Dai (containing indirubin from this plant) has shown remission induction in ulcerative colitis trials, but safety signals including pulmonary hypertension have limited routine use.

How it works

The plant is rich in indole alkaloids such as indirubin, indigo, and tryptanthrin. These compounds show antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activity in laboratory studies. Indirubin, isolated from Qing Dai, has been investigated as a kinase inhibitor and is the basis for derivatives studied in leukemia research. In TCM the leaf is used for fevers, sore throat, and skin conditions. Clinical evidence for routine supplement use is limited and mostly from small Chinese-language trials.

Dosage

Traditional decoction uses 9-15 g leaf daily. Qing Dai powder dosing differs and is typically prescribed by a TCM practitioner.

When and how to take it

Traditional use is short-term during acute illness, divided across the day with water.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Da Qing Ye (dried leaf)

Traditional TCM herb.

Used in decoctions; bioavailability not formally characterized.

Qing Dai (indigo powder)

Processed preparation studied in colitis.

Concentrated indirubin source.

Safety

Generally tolerated short-term in traditional dosing. Qing Dai has been associated with liver injury and pulmonary hypertension in inflammatory bowel disease research at higher doses, so caution is warranted. Quality varies.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. People with liver disease, autoimmune conditions, or those on immune-modulating drugs should consult a clinician. Discontinue if jaundice or breathing difficulty develops.

Interactions

Potential interactions with immunosuppressants, antiviral medications, and CYP-metabolized drugs. Data are limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as woad or true indigo?⌄

All three plants produce indigo dye but are distinct species with different alkaloid profiles.

Is it safe long-term?⌄

Long-term safety is not established, and high-dose Qing Dai has been linked to serious adverse effects in colitis trials.

References

Baphicacanthus cusia on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Baphicacanthus cusia on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Baphicacanthus cusia (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.