Indigowoad Root

Indigowoad Root (Chinese: 板藍根; pinyin: bǎn lán gēn) is a traditional Chinese medicine herb that comes from the roots of Isatis indigotica Fort, a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is also known as Radix Isatidis. (Some sources state that Isatis tinctoria may also count as a variety of bǎn lán gēn.) The herb is cultivated in various regions of northern China, namely Hebei, Beijing, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jiangsu, and Gansu. The roots are harvested during the autumn and dried. The dried root is then processed into granules, which are most commonly consumed dissolved in hot water or tea. The product is very popular throughout China.

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Indigowoad Root is used to remove toxic heat, soothe sore throat and to treat influenza, measles, mumps, syphilis, or scarlet fever. It is also used for pharyngitis, laryngitis, erysipelas, and carbuncle, and to prevent hepatitis A, epidemic meningitis, cancer and inflammation. Possible minor side effects include allergic reactions causing dizziness, only large dosages or long term usage can be toxic to the kidneys.