Baptisia tinctoria is an herbaceous perennial plant native to eastern North America. Commonly known as wild indigo, yellow wild indigo, indigo broom, or horseflyweed, its roots have been traditionally used as a medicine by Native Americans. It was used as a topical application for cuts, bruises, sprains, and wounds to accelerate the healing process. It was also used to clean cuts and ulcers and to reduce inflammation. It is an astringent and stimulant for the healing process both topically and internally.

 

B. tinctoria contains quinolizidine alkaloids including sparteine, cytisin, and anagyrine. Flavonoids including genistein, biochanin A, baptisin, maackiain, and formononetin were isolated and identified. Polysaccharides from B. tinctoria showed significant immunostimulating activities. Arabinogalactan-proteins and glycoproteins from B. tinctoria stimulated secretion of immunostimulant interleukin 1. The extract of B. tinctoria also showed moderate anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.