Indigo forbidden in Holland, but what indigo is that?

[ilovelonghair]

I just heard that indigo can't be sold in Holland anymore because it causes cancer. But I wonder if the stuff we call indigo here on the forum is the same as that blue indigo people use in arab countries and that causes cancer. Maybe that's another plant?

[mellie]

The botanical name is Indigoferae tinctoria, if that helps.

Here is a very thorough description of indigo and its properties:

http://books.google.com/books?id=dVBYe0SK1TwC&pg=PA96&lpg=PA96&dq=%22indigofera+tinctoria%22+toxicity&source=web&ots=mqiz66n__x&sig=pvz-ES1BpO3zjUQbgdNoX9KO938&hl=en&ei=bzuISb7JNpjqMMCKwd0H&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PPA96,M1

I could not find any toxicity reports there, only that it protects against liver damage, and repels nematodes and some other insects.

ETA: Indigo was discussed a bit in the Comfrey, Alkanet, et. al. thread, here is a good point to start:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=403794&highlight=indigo#post403794

It contains coumarins and saponins so it may have some negative effects on some folks.

[mellie]

I did find this plant, called Wild indigo, which is considered toxic. It is a different species:

Wild indigo (Baptisia australis)
http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=/monographs/herbssupplements/wildindigo.asp

[mellie]

Can you please post the site which shows indigo is forbidden in Holland? I would like to know more!

[lapushka]

First I've heard of it. I can't find any reference to the fact that it is supposedly forbidden in The Netherlands. Where did you get the information from?

[ktani]

2008
This is the current drugs.com information on indigo.
"Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

Adverse Reactions
Indigo appears to be a mild ocular irritant. Dermatitis is common among indigo dyers but there is no direct evidence that this is linked to exposure to the plant or dye ...."
http://www.drugs.com/npp/indigo.html

2007
Sloan Kettering
Adverse Reactions
"Reported (Oral): Mild to severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache and edema. A few patients were found to have pulmonary arterial hypertension and cardiac insufficiency following long-term treatment."
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69262.cfm

[Tai Shan Fan]

I've never heard of this either. There are several species of indigo plant. Related species do have a more toxic profile, but not the one we use on hair.

Remember that safety report is for eating indigo, not for dyeing your hair with it. I have heard of indigo being used in Chinese medicine (and thus it would be ingested), but for what purpose, I don't know.

[ktani]

I've never heard of this either. There are several species of indigo plant. Related species do have a more toxic profile, but not the one we use on hair.

Remember that safety report is for eating indigo, not for dyeing your hair with it. I have heard of indigo being used in Chinese medicine (and thus it would be ingested), but for what purpose, I don't know.

That is all true.

However, what is disturbing, is that members here have been reporting internal use side effects from the topical use of natural products, and from senna to henna (sorry about the rhyme) This post discusses coumarin side effects, http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?p=403794&highlight=indigo#post403794.

The senna I refer to is cassia senna, aka cassia.

Skin absorption, as I have said many times, can be factor to be considered.

[Tai Shan Fan]

Indigo is a very finely ground powder. More so than henna. It's possible that if anyone has systemic effects it's more likely due to inhalation of the powder while weighing out, as it tends to cloud rather like flour does when you work with it. Wearing a mask during this stage would reduce the amount inhaled.

[ktani]

Indigo is a very finely ground powder. More so than henna. It's possible that if anyone has systemic effects it's more likely due to inhalation of the powder while weighing out, as it tends to cloud rather like flour does when you work with it. Wearing a mask during this stage would reduce the amount inhaled.

I agree. When it comes to coumarins though, they are absorbed through skin and can be through cosmetics.

[Delilah]

I think there is a possibility that they are referring to indigo with PPD in it, which should most certainly be banned.

I suffered a reaction to indigo once, but it was a skin contact reaction of puffy, itchy and red skin and scalp. Oddly the first time I used that indigo nothing happened, and this was from the same package and mixed the same way.
Oh well, my body is odd and often decides to have an allergic reaction to a cosmetic or a digestive reaction to a food, and often these are items I use or consume regularly before and after the reaction with no issues.

[ilovelonghair]

My mother read it in the newspaper some time ago. There is a colourant that is used by the Touaregs in Africa to dye clothes blue and that stuff is very toxic. But it can be that that is another plant (because the indigo people use on hair doesn't make hair blue :D)

If I find a reference I'll post it.

[Katze]

I bet they are talking about PPD.

Henna for use on skin used to be forbidden for import in the USA, as well, due to fears about PPD and other additives. PPD is nasty.

But as far as I know pure henna or pure indigo is OK. However, the indigo thing started getting big after I stopped doing much henna professionally, so I never got a chance to safely test it on myself before using it on clients.

[Debra83]

I think there is a possibility that they are referring to indigo with PPD in it, which should most certainly be banned.

I suffered a reaction to indigo once, but it was a skin contact reaction of puffy, itchy and red skin and scalp. Oddly the first time I used that indigo nothing happened, and this was from the same package and mixed the same way.
Oh well, my body is odd and often decides to have an allergic reaction to a cosmetic or a digestive reaction to a food, and often these are items I use or consume regularly before and after the reaction with no issues.

The first time my son came into contact with peanut butter, he didn't react. But he has everytime after that. Very severe. The family doctor told me that often it is not the first exposure you react to with an allergen, but the second.

[Delilah]

The first time my son came into contact with peanut butter, he didn't react. But he has everytime after that. Very severe. The family doctor told me that often it is not the first exposure you react to with an allergen, but the second.

Interesting, thanks for the information.
It makes you wonder what use patch tests are though...

[twilight]

My mother read it in the newspaper some time ago. There is a colourant that is used by the Touaregs in Africa to dye clothes blue and that stuff is very toxic. But it can be that that is another plant (because the indigo people use on hair doesn't make hair blue :D)

If I find a reference I'll post it.

actually, the indigo that is used to dye hair (indigofera tinctoria) DOES color the hair blue or green; but because it is applied in conjunction with henna (red/orange) you end up with a brown or black color. straight indigo on blonde hair will make it greenish.

there are so many different types of indigo and plenty of other plants that yield an "indigo" dye it's hard to know which they are referring to...

i would bet you can still purchase indigofera tinctoria and have it shipped to holland; have you tried?

[sibilum]

Sorry, I cannot resist but to comment that this is kind of funny... I mean, in a country that is famous for its pot bars... lol... when I went to art school some friends went there and when they came back all they talked about was pot muffins. :D

You can stuff yourself with pot mufins, but don't dare put indigo on your hair!

[ilovelonghair]

I don't live in Holland anymore, but I just about this and got curious.

Btw what is it with people always referring to pot when Holland is mentioned? Don't mean that as offence, it just happens too often

[sibilum]

I don't live in Holland anymore, but I just about this and got curious.

Btw what is it with people always referring to pot when Holland is mentioned? Don't mean that as offence, it just happens too often

Well, sorry, but that's what is Holland is famous for. I know it sucks and I'm sorry I mentioned, I also get a little sad when people think Brazil is all about samba & soccer.

[Calista]

Well, sorry, but that's what is Holland is famous for.
Actually Holland is famous for quite a number of things. Cheese, wooden shoes, windmills, bicycling, just to name a few. And having liberal access to pot doesn´t mean the Dutch stuff themselves with pot muffins. That´s what tourists do. ;)

[sibilum]

Actually Holland is famous for quite a number of things. Cheese, wooden shoes, windmills, bicycling, just to name a few. And having liberal access to pot doesn´t mean the Dutch stuff themselves with pot muffins. That´s what tourists do. ;)

I already said I'm sorry and that I actually don't like when people generalize the brazilian culture too. So, geez, what should I do now? Knee down and beg for mercy?