Indigo, Wild White (Baptisia alba)

Similar to their friend Baptisia australis, White False indigo (Baptisia alba) is a native perennial in the fabaceae family. Grown in full sun or partial shade, White Wild Indigo may grow 2 to 4 feet tall with dark blue-gray stems contrasting with lovely white flowers arranged in spikes.  Once established, this special nitrogen fixing plant will attract pollinators and last many years in a perennial garden. The pods are lovely as well and can be added to floral arrangements and crafting projects.

The medicinal benefits are diverse and care must be given in dosing usage of this shining star healing ally. Baptisia australis and alba are said to be interchangeable in medicinal virtues and the genus was once worked with for gastric challenges and malignant ulcers and sore mouth, particularly where there is swelling of mucus membranes. The fames King’s American Dispensary stated that “Therapeutically, Baptisia is indicated in pathological conditions characterized by feeble vitality with tendency to disintegration of tissue. The keynote of this drug is sepsis, accompanied by dark or purplish discoloration of skin and mucous membranes.”