Chinese Woad

Da Qing. Qiug Dai. Used in Chinese medicine as an antiseptic gargle and as an anti-inflammatory to irritated liver and spleen. The plant is considered anti-bacterial and ant-viral. Leaves and roots have been used for flu, measles, hepatitis, and mumps. Both varieties have been used historically as a source of blue dye prior to the introduction of Indigo. Easy to grow perennial with leathery blue-green leaves sending up stems with delicate yellow flowers. Considered a noxious weed in WY, UT, MT, CA, OR and WA. Hardy to zone 3.