Isatis tinctoria
Dyer's woad
Isatis tinctoria, commonly known as Woad, is a versatile medicinal plant prized for its potent antimicrobial properties. Rich in glucosinolates, it has been used traditionally to treat respiratory ailments, skin infections, and inflammation. Today, it remains a significant botanical resource in both herbal medicine and natural dye production.
- Scientific name: Isatis tinctoria
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Isatis tinctoria, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Brassicales. Finally, it is a member of the family Brassicaceae and falls under the genus Isatis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Brassicales | WCVP |
| Family | Brassicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Isatis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Isatis tinctoria, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In German, it is called Färberwaid, while in Chinese, it is referred to as 菘蓝. In Poland, the species is known as urzet barwierski, and in French, it is called Pastel des teinturiers. Additionally, in the Wakashan language, it is referred to as Waisse.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Färberwaid | Wikidata |
| zh | 菘蓝 | Wikidata |
| pl | urzet barwierski | Wikidata |
| wa | Waisse | Wikidata |
| fr | Pastel des teinturiers | Wikidata |
| ko | 대청 | Wikidata |
| oc | Pastèl | Wikidata |
| kw | Liwles | Wikidata |
| nl | wede | Wikidata |
| ar | وسمة الصباغين | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Isatis tinctoria, exhibits a specific presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends northward into the territories of Norway and Finland. Additionally, the species is documented across the islands of Great Britain. Finally, it maintains a botanical presence within the country of Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as woad, is valued for its diverse medicinal properties which can be derived from various components. While the whole plant possesses unique biochemical characteristics, therapeutic applications often focus on the aerial parts to ensure potency. Specifically, the rosette leaf formation provides a concentrated source of secondary metabolites, though the individual leaves are frequently harvested for their chemical richness. In many pharmacological preparations, leaf extracts are utilized to isolate the specific compounds necessary for medicinal use.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosette leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Isatis tinctoria has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include indirubin, tryptanthrin, flavonoids, glucosinolates, 1,5-anhydroglucitol.
- Total chemicals
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| indirubin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tryptanthrin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glucosinolates | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,5-anhydroglucitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Compound 2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Compound 3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| GB-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| GB-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glucoisatisin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Isatis tinctoria has 8 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antiallergic, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiallergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Isatis tinctoria has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus niger, Atopic Dermatitis, Candida albicans, analgesic, antiallergic.
- Total uses
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Atopic Dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiallergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dengue fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |