Wild indigo is a North American plant used in herbal medicine, but should be used with caution due to its explosive effects on the digestive tract. It has historical uses as a vegetable, anti-inflammatory, and dye source. Pregnant women and those with autoimmune disorders should avoid it. Research is being done on its potential as an immunity-boosting compound.
Wild indigo is a plant native to the North American plains. Several species of wild indigo are used and cultivated by humans, including Baptisia tinctoria and B. australis. Wild indigo preparations are sometimes available in health food stores and through herbal medicine practitioners. These products are often sold in the form of capsules or teas.
Although this plant is used as an herbal remedy, it should be used carefully and ideally under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. Wild indigo can have explosive effects on the digestive tract, especially in people with conditions like ulcers, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel disease, and severe food allergies. People who take too much wild indigo may experience vomiting and diarrhea and may develop lesions in their intestinal tracts. The herb also seems to have a depressant effect on the respiratory system when taken in large doses, and can be irritating.
Historically, this perennial plant was used for various purposes by Native Americans. The young shoots of the plant were prepared and eaten as vegetables, and the roots were sometimes chewed to treat toothaches, because wild indigo has some anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation and irritation of the skin can be treated with a mild wash prepared from this herb, and it is also used as an eye wash. Finally, wild blue indigo could be used as a purgative in the treatment of various conditions.
As its name implies, wild indigo can be a source of blue dye. It is similar to indigo, a dye famous for its rich, intense color. This plant produces a lighter, less colorfast version of indigo dye that can be used in a variety of craft projects. This plant is in the pea family and, in the wild, prefers full sun to partial shade, developing bushy green foliage and spikes of blue, yellow, or white flowers, depending on the species.
Pregnant women should not take wild indigo. The safety of this herbal preparation in lactating women is unknown, and women may want to consult their doctors before taking wild indigo supplements if they are breastfeeding. Supplements made from this plant are also not recommended for people with autoimmune disorders.
Research is being done on wild indigo to learn more about the compounds the plant contains, in order to determine whether or not it can be used in pharmaceutical development. It may potentially have some applications as an immunity-boosting compound.
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