Indigo Naturalis
Source
The branch and leaf of Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek. or Polygonum
tinctorium Ait. or Isatis tinctoria L., family Acanthaceae, Polygonaceae
and Cruciferae.
Characteristics
Prepared as deep blue powder or polyporate and loose masses, light in
weight capable of floating on the water, and producing purple-red smoke
when burnt. Salty in taste, cold in nature, and attributive to liver channeL
Indication
Clear away heat and toxic material, cool the blood, relieve skin infection:
For fire-heat syndrome and blood-heat syndrome, such as seasonal febrile
diseases with ardent fever, thirst and eruption, hematemesis, hemoptysis,
epistaxis, infantile epilepsy, carbuncle, erysepilas, mumps, snake and
insect bite, etc.; for chronic myeloblastic leukemia, may be used with
Realgar together; for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with metastasis in the
neck region, external use as a supplement of radiotherapy.
Pharmacological
Action
Indirubin is the chief active component.
1. Inhibiting leukemia7212 and many otber tumors in experimental animals.
2. Enhancing the function of reticuloendothelial system in healthy mice
and promoting phagocytosis of macrophage in mice with cancer.
3. It may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea or bloody stools.
Administration
Indigo Naturalis (tablet. capsule or powder): 2-4g bid or tid; decoction
is ineffective for chronic mycloblastic leukemia.
Indirubin tablet (containing 25mg). 2 tablets tid or qid for leukemia.
External use: Appropriate amount.