A Treatment arising from tradition: A Report of indigo blue therapy for granulomatous mastitis

Abstract

The indigo plant is used globally for its blue dye, and plant-based indigo dyeing has been traditionally practiced for centuries in a broad geographic area. In addition to this purpose, indigo is used medically in many African tribal areas for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects. This article presents a case of granulomatous mastitis that was treated by a tribal healer with indigo blue, which provided temporary relief of symptoms for one year until secondary bacterial infection occurred. Some studies reported that indigo blue provides symptomatic relief related to its anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, which could be helpful in autoimmune diseases such as granulomatous mastitis. We strongly believe that this patient's results warrant further investigation of indigo blue's effect on granulomatous mastitis.