Qing Dai for Ulcerative Colitis

Qing Dai for Ulcerative Colitis: Hope or Hype?

If you have ulcerative colitis, you may have come across Qing Dai, also known as Indigo naturalis. It’s turning up on forums, in practitioner protocols and now often marketed as a natural miracle.

But let’s pause and take a proper look.

What is Qing Dai?

Qing Dai is a bright blue powder used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Recently, researchers have explored its anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in people with UC. And while there is a small amount of published research, this is being heavily amplified giving a sense that it’s a proven solution.

I don't feel that it is.

What Does the Research Say?

In a small pilot study with just 20 participants with moderate UC:

• 72 percent showed clinical improvement

• 33 percent reached remission

• 61 percent showed mucosal healing

However, side effects were noted. Some participants developed nausea and changes in liver function (Karger Study).

Another study tested Qing Dai combined with curcumin (the active component of turmeric). After eight weeks:

• 50 percent achieved remission

• 85.7 percent experienced significant symptom improvement

These numbers are promising, but these studies are small, and it’s worth noting that this combination is sold commercially.

How Does Qing Dai Work?

Qing Dai appears to work by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which plays a role in controlling inflammation. This reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to the symptoms of UC (BMJ Open Gastro).

This mechanism might help calm inflammation, but there’s a problem. Suppressing inflammation isn’t the same as resolving the reason it’s happening.

What’s the Risk?

Some people feel bad on Qing Dai. Common side effects include:

• Nausea

• Digestive upset

• Headaches

• Liver function abnormalities

More seriously, some participants in trials developed infectious colitis while taking Qing Dai. This may be because it suppresses immune function, allowing underlying infections to take hold. This is worrying, particularly in people who may already have gut dysbiosis, pathogens, or toxic overload driving their inflammation.

If you decide to try Qing Dai, it’s absolutely essential to have your liver function monitored regularly. Long-term safety is unknown, and this is not something to self-prescribe without professional guidance. I can recommend a great medical herbalist if you want to explore that route.

Root-Cause Healing vs Symptom Suppression

Inflammation in UC isn’t just a nuisance. It’s your body trying to draw attention to a deeper issue. Suppressing it without asking why it’s happening might offer temporary relief but will not address the underlying drivers.

Ask yourself:

• What is really driving my inflammation?

• Could it be infection, toxins, poor digestion or a disrupted microbiome?

• Am I supporting my immune system or suppressing it?

These are vital questions if your goal is long-term remission and true healing, rather than a short reprieve.

Final Thoughts

Qing Dai might offer short-term help for some people, but it isn’t a magic solution. It is not risk-free and it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. The marketing hype around it is far ahead of the evidence.

If you’re working towards deep, sustainable healing, it’s more effective to take a holistic, multi-pronged approach that supports your immune system, addresses gut health, identifies and clears triggers and gently rebalances inflammation from the inside out.

Qing Dai might be part of that plan for some early on, but it will not be the answer to long-term healing, in my opinion.

Further Reading:

• Naganuma, M. et al. (2018). Indigo Naturalis for Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Karger Study

• Sugimoto, S. et al. (2021). The efficacy of Indigo Naturalis in patients with ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Gastro

• Suzuki, H. et al. (2020). Combined curcumin and Qing Dai therapy for ulcerative colitis: A randomized trial. CurQD Study