Baptisia tinctoria is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to eastern North America.
Contents
Uses
- Baptisia Tincoria is rarely used alone. Instead it is used in conjunction with other herbs, such as echinacea and thuja in the treatments of colds and flu. The root contains alkaloids, which may contribute to its medicinal actions.
- More recently and in part due to research which has shown that it can stimulate the immune system, it has been applied as an herbal remedy in the treatment of common colds, sore throats, infections and influenza.
- It has also been found to be of use in the treatment of infections of the ear, nose and throat.
- It can be helpful as a treatment for laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and catarrhal infections of the nasal and sinus passages.
Benefits
- Gastrointestinal Health: Those who have ever suffered from an ulcer know that it can be extremely painful and difficult to treat, so a natural solution is obviously quite valuable. In traditional medicine, baptisia was frequently used to treat gastric ulcers, due to its anti-inflammatory abilities and specific antioxidant effects that caused a reduction in size of ulcers and helped to prevent their further development.
- Immune System: The major effects of baptisia are related to the immune system, particularly when it comes to the treatment of infections. Baptisia has long been relied on to clear up infections of the mouth, gums, and throat, as the potent concentration of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components is able to quickly alleviate discomfort and eliminate any dangerous pathogens or bacteria present in those bodily systems.
- The Common Cold: Although this may seem to fall under the category of the immune system, the powerful effects that baptisia has been shown to have on the common cold and influenza deserves its own classification. If you have a weak immune system and are frequently ill, then adding baptisia herbal supplementation may be a wise choice.
- Respiratory Health: If you are suffering from a sore throat or an inflamed respiratory system, which often happens with conditions like bronchitis or the flu, baptisia can act as an expectorant, eliminating mucus and phlegm that can build up in your respiratory tracts and catch bacteria and pathogens. The anti-inflammatory effects of baptisia can also help to reduce irritation in the tracts and speed the healing process following a respiratory illness.
- Lymphatic System: It can be difficult to treat certain organ systems of the body, and baptisia cannot always do it alone. This herb is commonly combined with other herbal substances, such as pokeroot and cleaver, for issues of the lymphatic system, such as inflamed lymph nodes, which is often the sign of an infection. Again, the naturally antiseptic and antibacterial nature of baptisia can help prevent these small issues from progressing into something more serious.
- Skin Health: Although skin ulcers are not the most common form of this condition, they do occur, and need to be treated. Topical application of baptisia herb can help to alleviate this condition and treat the underlying cause as well. In terms of other skin conditions, such as irritation, age spots, wrinkles, and blemishes, baptisia can also be used to soothe inflammation.
- Pain Relief: If you have concentrated pain in any area of your body, you can topically apply baptisia and the analgesic properties of the herb will take over. In traditional medicine, this was commonly done to the nipples for women with sensitivity in that area. This can also be used for those with wounds, post-surgery pain, and arthritic symptoms.
- Cancer Prevention: When it comes to immunotherapy of cancers, a great deal of research has appeared in recent years, particularly on herbs from Chinese traditional medicine, and baptisia falls within this category. Studies have shown some anti-tumor activity of this herb and immunomodulatory effects on cancerous cells and proliferation, which is a very exciting development in the alternative medicine community.
- Improve Oral Health: Many people have poor oral health but don’t even know about it, as it is often only evidenced by bad breath, minor pain, or some bleeding while brushing. Baptisia is particularly effective at treating oral conditions like gingivitis, but also more serious conditions, such as in the prevention of gum cancer and more damaging infections of the teeth and gums.
Cautions
- This is a very powerful herb, so be careful not to consume too much. An overdose of baptisia can result in severe vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.
- Also, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it isn’t suggested to use baptisia, as research has not been able to show this as definitively safe. As always, when adding an herbal element to your daily or weekly health regimen, speak to your trained medical professional first.
Other Names
Broom-clover, Baptisia, indigo-weed, horsefly-weed, indigo-broom, shoofly, yellow indigo, American indigo, yellow broom, cloverbroom, rattlebush
References
Source: Organic Facts, https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/baptisia.html
Herbs2000, http://www.herbs2000.com/homeopathy/baptisia.htm
Herbal supplement, https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/wild-indigo-herb.html
Image source: http://www.delawarewildflowers.org