Isatis
Scientific names: Isatis tinctoria, Isatis indigotica
Family: Brassicaceae/Cruciferae
Alternate names: Ban Lang Gen, Chinese Indigo, Da Qing Ye, Da Quing Ye, Dyer's Woad, Färberwaid, Folium Isatidis, Genêt des Teinturiers, Guède, Hierba Pastel, Indigo, Indigo Naturalis, Indigo Woad, Pastel des Teinturiers, Qing Dai, Radix Isatidis, Woad
Actions: Anti-cancer, Anti-inflammatory
Background
Isatis (Isatis tinctoria) is a plant with small yellow flowers. It grows in China. The leaves and roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Isatis may reduce fever and swelling. It also contains chemicals that might keep cancer cells from multiplying.
People use isatis for aging skin, scaly itchy skin (psoriasis), diarrhea, prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Isatis may reduce fever and swelling. It also contains chemicals that might keep cancer cells from multiplying.
People use isatis for aging skin, scaly itchy skin (psoriasis), diarrhea, prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if isatis is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Isatis is possibly safe when used appropriately, short-term. A specific product containing an isatis leaf extract called indigo naturalis in olive oil (Lindioil) has been used safely for 24 weeks.
Aspirin allergy: Isatis contains chemicals that are similar to the chemicals in aspirin. Isatis might trigger an asthma attack or an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to aspirin.
When applied to the skin: Isatis is possibly safe when used appropriately, short-term. A specific product containing an isatis leaf extract called indigo naturalis in olive oil (Lindioil) has been used safely for 24 weeks.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if isatis is safe to use when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Aspirin allergy: Isatis contains chemicals that are similar to the chemicals in aspirin. Isatis might trigger an asthma attack or an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to aspirin.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis). Applying a specific product containing an isatis leaf extract in olive oil (Lindioil) to the fingernails might improve nail psoriasis.
Dosing & administration
A specific isatis extract called indigo naturalis in olive oil (Lindioil) has most often been applied to the nails and the skin beneath the edge of the nail in amounts of 0.05-0.1 mL twice daily for 24 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Isatis interacts with any medicines. Before taking Isatis, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Practitioner product
Per capsule:
- Isatis tinctoria (Ban Lan Gen) ext. 33.54 mg
- Isatis tinctoria (Ban Lan Gen) ext. 33.54 mg
- Lonicera japonica ext. 33.54 mg
- Forsythia suspensa ext. 22.35 mg
- Scutellaria baicalensis ext. 27.96 mg
- Phragmites australis ext. 22.35 mg
- Morus alba ext. 16.77 mg
- Saposhnikovia divaricata ext. 16.77 mg
- Prunus armeniaca ext. 16.77 mg
- Mentha haplocalyx ext. 16.77 mg
- Glycine max ext. 16.77 mg
- Schizonepeta tenuifolia ext. 11.19 mg
- Chrysanthemum sinense ext. 11.19 mg
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis ext. 9.3 mg
- Platycodon grandiflorus ext. 11.19 mg
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/04/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 21/04/2015 17:43:20. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
