Witnessed by: Western
Wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), of the Fabaceae family. Bushy perennial with clover-like leaves and small yellow pea-flowers; native range: dry open woods and clearings of eastern North America. Globally recognized as false indigo, horsefly weed, rattlebush in English. The part used is root and root-bark. Root nauseous and bitter, faintly acrid, staining indigo on exposure.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
WILD INDIGO
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- wild indigo
- Scientific name
- Baptisia tinctoria (L.) R.Br.
- Family
- Fabaceae
Form
- Part used
- root and root-bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- immune · mucous membranes · blood
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- antimicrobial, immune stimulant, lymphatic, antiseptic, febrifuge
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in pregnancy; restrict to short-term small-dose use
- Toxicity
- large doses emetic and purgative, causing nausea and irritation of the gut
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.