All about Indigo

Here is all you need to know about Organic Indigo.  This is the kind of indigo that is raw, and used for natural hair dye.  If you are looking for indigo for fabric dye, you will have to process the indigo to release the dye. 

We sell 100 grams Certified Organic Indigo powder for hair.  Indigofera tinctoria is an organic powder derived from the indigo plant, to help achieve dark tones in natural hair dying.  2016 harvest from India. 
  • 100 grams
  • Certified organic
  • 2017 crop
  • Vacuum packaging
  • Expires December 2019

Our Organic Indigo powder is from the Rajasthan region of India.  The indigo crop is from the 2016 harvest (2017 harvest will be available in October).  Our organic indigo powder is best used with henna powder for to achieve dark tones for natural hair dye.  Your order includes instructions on use for natural hair dye. 

Each packet is vacuum packed in a clear bag, then sealed with a foil bag on the outside.  This prevents the indigo from being exposed to too much light and air.  You should store the indigo powder in a cool, dark place, like a closet or medicine cabinet.  Contrary to modern belief, DRY indigo or other herbal powders should NOT be stored in the fridge or freezer, as it increases exposure to moisture and the chance of freezer burns. 

Our organic indigo powder is recommended for multiple uses.  We recommend this powder for all types of users, for natural hair dye, to help achieve dark tones of hair. 

Natural Hair Dye:  Organic indigo powder that is finely ground makes it the perfect choice for using this powder for natural hair dye.  Fresh indigo powder, from the 2016 crop, that is finely ground means the powder does not contain twigs, sticks, or leaves.  We recommend that you gently sift the indigo powder before mixing in order to break up clumps of indigo due to vacuum seal.  You should use indigo powder with henna to Naturally Dye your Hair darker shades.  

Our organic indigo powder will help you achieve tones of dark reds, warm browns, auburns, and even jet black when mixed with the right ingredients and proportions.  Mix the powder with warm water and allow it to sit for no more than 15 minutes.  Mix the indigo paste with your other herbal pastes and apply it to your hair.  Organic indigo powder used with other natural ingredients are a safe, natural and organic alternative to chemical hair dyes.  More information on natural hair dye can be found here:  Naturally Dye your Hair

Full instructions, recipes and details can be found here:  http://www.hennaart.ca/Henna-Recipes.html

HOW MUCH INDIGO DO YOU NEED FOR NATURAL HAIR DYE?
  • 50 grams for touch ups or root applications
  • 100 g for short hair
  • 200 g for collar length straight hair
  • 300 g for shoulder length straight hair
  • 500 g for waist length hair
  • add 50-100 grams for curly or thick hair

MORE ABOUT INDIGO
Indigofera tinctoria is a plant that grows in Pakistan and India.  IT has a blue dye that has been used for centuries to dye hair, fibers and textiles.  Often used to dye jeans and natural fibers, Indigo has also been used for centuries to dye the hair and fabric. During the 19th and 20th century, indigo was a common hair dye in Europe and the US, and was marked as "black henna." Henna is never black, henna never dyes hair black, but powdered indigo resembles powdered henna and it DOES dye hair black.

When used in combination with henna, indigo can help you get tones of dark red, warm brown and jet black.  It is the safest and most natural dye that can be used to safely dye your hair jet black.  Indigo looks just like the henna powder, however, works slightly differently.  Indigo needs to be mixed with water, and used immediately.  Indigo dye is perishable and will lose dye quality within 12 hours.  After application to the hair, indigo oxidizes and darkens over the course of the following three or four days. 
At times, indigo is mislabeled as "Black Henna."  There is no such thing as black henna.  Always be careful when purchasing indigo.  Safe and natural indigo looks like henna powder, but smells like frozen peas, or like hay.  When mixed with water, a blue glaze forms on the top layer.  To test if the product is truly indigo, put some indigo paste on a paper towel.  Within a few minutes, a blue dye will leak out.  If you come across a box of "black henna" be sure that it does not contain PPD (para-phenylenediamine) or other harsh materials.  Test the indigo as stated above. 

If you open a box of "black henna" or "black mehndi" and the powder is brownish black or black, it probably has PPD in it. If you mix it with water, blackish brown liquid will leak out. That stuff is not henna—it’s not indigo—and it IS chemicals that may hurt you.

Here is a tutorial on dying your beard with indigo:  http://blog.hennaart.ca/2017/04/dying-beard-with-henna-and-indigo.html
And a tutorial on using henna and indigo to dye your hair naturally:http://blog.hennaart.ca/2014/04/using-henna-and-indigo-to-dye-gray-hair.html