Woad, of the brilliant blue dye

Woad, Isatis tinctoria, is a Eurasian member of the cabbage family that is a biennial or short-lived perennial. It is a herb known for the brilliant blue dye it produces. Now mine is established in my garden, I see it popping up here and there. The flowers are sweet smelling and the bees love them. It grows easily from seed.

The dye was historically used for cloth but maybe the most common modern connection is it being known as the face paint the Scottish army used in Braveheart (ancient Celts and Britons used it to paint themselves to intimadate the enemy in battle). It even was used to make semi-permanent tattoos.

Today it is still used as a dye when people would like natural dyes. The dye is time-consuming to make. It is made from the first year leaves and is used as a permanent dye for natural fabrics. It's dye also allows it to be used in the cosmetic and hair industry.

Medicinally, it is used in Western herbal medicine and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) as an antiviral and is typically used for skin and immune support.

Woad, Isatis tinctoria, in flower in my garden