Indigo Powder — What Is Natural Indigo Dye?
What indigo powder is — a clear, technical guide Indigo powder is a plant-derived dye made from leaves of indigo-bearing plants (most commonly Indigofera tinctoria ). It yields a deep blue pigment called indigotin. Today, people use the powder for natural hair color, textile dyeing, and traditional crafts. Moreover, it is often used with henna to reach dark brown or black shades. Quick facts (at-a-glance) Common names: indigo dye , indigo powder , natural indigo . Main plant source: Indigofera tinctoria (true indigo). Typical use for hair: applied alone or in a two-step process after henna . Manufacturer example: KEO / Kirpal Export produces sifted indigo powder for hair use. How indigo powder works on hair (technical details) First, the powder is made from sun-dried, fermented leaves. Then, the indigo precursor (indican) converts into indigotin. The pigment is insoluble, so the powder deposits color onto hair cuticles rather than penetrating deeply like synthetic dyes. As a...