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Woad, Isatis tinctoria

woad leaves The leaves are edible, but bitter, even after soaking.

One author says it is so astringent that it is not fit to be used internally - it is only used externally as a plaster applied to the region of the spleen and as an ointment for ulcers, inflammation and to staunch bleeding.

However, it is widely used internally in Chinese herbal medicine where high doses are often employed in order to maintain high levels of active ingredients.

The leaves are used internally in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, including meningitis, encephalitis, mumps, influenza, erysipelas, heat rash etc. The leaves are harvested in the summer and can be used fresh or dried.

They are also macerated and the blue pigment extracted. This is also used medicinally, particularly in the treatment of high fevers and convulsions in children, coughing of blood and as a detoxifier in infections such as mumps.

The root is antibacterial and anticancer. It is used in the treatment of fevers, pyogenic inflammation in influenza and meningitis, macula in acute infectious diseases, erysipelas, mumps and epidemic parotitis. Its antibacterial action is effective against Bacillus subtilis, haemolytic streptococcus,, C. diphtheriae, E. coli, Bacillus typhi, B. paratyphi, Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri and Salmonella enteritidis.

Both the leaves and the roots are used in the treatment of pneumonia.

The root and the whole plant have anticancer properties whilst extracts of the plant have shown bactericidal properties. woad flower

Woad is historically famous as a dye plant, a blue dye is obtained from the leaves by a complex process that involves fermenting the leaves and produces a foul stench. It is a very good quality dye that still finds some use amongst artists etc who want to work with natural dyes.

A very good quality green is obtained by mixing it with Dyer's greenwood (Genista tinctoria).

Woad is also used to improve the colour and quality of indigo, as well as to form a base for black dyes. The leaves are harvested when fully grown and 3 - 4 harvests can be made in total.

Recent research in Germany has shown that (the dyestuff in?) this plant is a very good preservative for wood.