Woad by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Glastum -  Isatis tinctoria

Woad is the common name of a flowering plantin the family Brassicaceae. Woad is sometimes called Asp of Jerusalem. Woad is also the name of a blue dye produced from the plant, the warpaint of ancient Britons and Celts. Woad has been cultivated throughout Europe, especially in Western and southern Europe since ancient times.

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Once or twice a month we email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics -- including woad plant research --  and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Click the image to your left which takes you to Physician Formulas web site, and then enter your email address in the box provided.

Woad extract and inflammation
Several substances in woad have anti-inflammatory activity. One such substance is tryptanthrin, a known dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-LOX. Tryptanthrin is a pharmacologically active compound with potent inhibitory activity on prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis and on inducible nitric oxide synthase. Woad also has indigo and indigo precursors, including indoxyl glycosides called isatan A and Isatan B.

Woad and cancer
Woad, a member of the cabbage family, has many more times an anti-cancer chemical than its vegetable cousin broccoli, already the subject of research. The chemical glucobrassicin, one of a group of compounds called glucosinolates, acts against estrogen in the human body, which can promote the growth of breast cancer.