Isatis Tinctoria, (Isatis indigotica), also called woad, dyer's woad, or glastum,
is a flowering
plant with small yellow flowers in the family Brassicaceae. The
leaves and roots of the plant are used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is
occasionally known as Asp of
Jerusalem and is native to the steppe and desert zones of the Caucasus, Central Asia to Eastern Siberia and Western Asia and more recently found in South-Eastern and Central Europe and in Western North America.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Isatis
was used for centuries for its distinctive blue dye as well as its antiviral
and antibiotic benefits. Isatis root,
Ban Lan Gen and Isatis leaf,
Da Qing Ye, were recognized for their ability to cool a fever and stop a
cytokine cascade in the body during both viral and bacterial infections,
including the flu. In China many households have Ban Lan Gen tea granules in
the medicine cabinet as a preventative decoction during cold and flu season.
Isatis is a broad-spectrum
antiviral herb that inhibits viral replication
and attachment to cells. It has a broad
range of tested antimicrobial actions against
diverse bacteria and microbes which protect against secondary infection.
Isatis is a
comprehensive antiviral that may be useful against viral infections. It is being used in China for viral hepatitis;
and in veterinary medicine against canine distemper, rinderpest, parvovirus,
and Newcastle disease in poultry.
Isatis has been used to treat the common cold and other
infections of the nose, throat, ,sinuses and upper
respiratory tract infections, as well as infections of saliva glands.
Isatis may be applied directly to the skin for skin conditions or taken orally.
Children should avoid large
dosage and long-term use of this herb. Due to a lack of research, the side
effects associated with the treatment of isatis root supplements are as yet
unknown. If you experience any unusual health issues while taking this
supplement, contact your medical provider for further evaluation and care. Health
professionals with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center report that
isatis leaf may cause nausea or vomiting. Such stomach-related side effects may
also contribute to a temporary loss of appetite. If administered as an
intramuscular injection, this supplement may cause bruising at the site of
treatment. Seek additional care from your physician if these potential side
effects of isatis root and leaf persist or become severe.
Discuss all health problems or
concerns you may have with your health care provider before taking supplements
that contain isatis root. Avoid taking isatis root if you are breastfeeding or
pregnant, as the safety of this supplement during pregnancy is unknown.
Additionally, do not take isatis root if you are allergic to aspirin. Improper
use of isatis root by aspirin-sensitive people may result in a mild to severe
allergic reaction. A study cited by MSKCC also reports that treatment with
isatis root should be avoided by feeble patients. Always discuss all
medications you are taking with your physician before beginning treatment with
a new drug or supplement -- including isatis root.
Disclaimer: The
information presented herein by New
Way Herbs is intended for educational purposes only. These
statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose,
cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using
any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own healthcare
provider.
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