Uses of Wild Indigo

Wild indigo is a plant found throughout North America, though mostly in the eastern side of the continent. The plant has bluish-green leaves and yellow flowers. The plant, also known as clover broom and shoofly, grows to be about two to three feet tall, and is in the same plant family as the wild pea. Wild indigo plants have been used in a variety of ways over the years, from an herbal remedy to other, more practical applications.

Ear, Nose, and Throat

• Wild indigo is very useful in fighting ear, nose, and throat ailments, says Herbs2000. It can treat conditions such as laryngitis, tonsillitis, and pharyngitis, as well as catarrhal infections of the nasal and sinus passages, according to the Herbal Resource.

Skin Ailments

• The Herbal Resource indicates wild indigo as a treatment for skin ailments. Among the ailments it has had success in healing are sore nipples and skin ulcers.

Use With Other Herbs

• Wild indigo is seldom used alone but is often used in combination with another herb, says the Herbal Resource. For instance, if used in conjunction with burdock, it can actually reduce lymphatic swelling and fight lymphatic infections. In conjunction with Echinacea, wild indigo can help to combat chronic fatigue syndrome. Making a decoction of wild indigo root helps to canker sores, gum disease, and sore throats.

Antiseptic

• The most well-known use for wild indigo is as an antiseptic for cuts and bruises. This use of wild indigo stretches back to native American culture. Once again, the root is usually boiled in water and then applied to the wound. This use of the plant is backed up by recent medical research, which finds that wild indigo jumpstarts the immune system and therefore helps to aggressively kill bacterial infections.

Tea

• If wild indigo root is extracted and made into a tea, it can be very useful to increase the flow of bile, induce nausea and vomiting, reduce fever, and stimulate evacuation of the bowels.

Mouthwash

• Both the bark and roots can be boiled in water and used as a mouthwash. When used in this way, the herb can be useful in curing mouth sores as well, states Herbs2000. The Herbal Resource notes that it can also cure ulcers in the mouth and the gum disease gingivitis.