Isatis

Isatis
Isatis tinctoria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Isatis L.
Species
About 30 species, including: Isatis boissieriana Isatis glauca Isatis tinctoria others (see text)

Isatis is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region east to central Asia. The genus includes woad (Isatis tinctoria).

In China, the root is made into a medicinal tea commonly called [bǎn lán gēn (Pinyin) (Traditional Chinese 板藍根) (Simplified Chinese 板蓝根)]. Isatis is a very uncommon plant that is made into tea.

"It Clears Heat, Expels Toxins, Benefits the Throat, Reduces Swelling, Invigorates the Blood and is used for conditions such as wind-heat, epidemic toxins and seasonal toxic pathogens presenting with swollen, painful, sore throat, ulcerated throat, high fever, mumps, red and swollen eyes and ears, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, furuncles."

Ingredients: Radix Isatidix ( bǎn lán gēn )

Dosage & Usage: Mix the contents of 1 packet in hot water, take as needed.

Caution: Use with caution in hemorrhagic disorders or with patients on anti-coagulant therapy.

It is also an ingredient in Gan mao ling [gǎn mào líng (Pinyin) (Traditional Chinese 感冒靈) (Simplified Chinese 感冒灵)]