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Used as a decoction, syrup, ointment.

According to test tube experiments, the polysaccharides and proteins in wild indigo are believed to stimulate the immune system. This might account for its role against the common cold and flu.

Wild Indigo is useful in the treatment of infections and catarrh in the ear, nose and throat. It may be used for laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and catarrhal infections of the nose and sinus.

Taken both internally and as a mouthwash it will heal mouth ulcers, gingivitis and help in the control of pyorrhea.

Systematically it may be helpful in the treatment of enlarged and inflamed lymph glands (lymphadenitis) and also to reduce fevers.

Externally an ointment will help infected ulcers and ease sore nipples. A douche of the decoction will help leucorrhoea.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal':

The root is non-odorous and of a nauseous acrid taste, containing gum, albumen, starch, a yellowish resin and a crystalline substance.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Used internally in form of decoction or syrup in scarlatina, typhus, and in all cases where there is a tendency to putrescency; it is purgative, emetic, stimulant, astringent, and antiseptic, principally used for its antiseptic qualities.

Dosage: Of the decoction, 1 tablespoonful. Fluid extract, 1/4 to 1/2 drachm. Baptisin, 1 to 3 grains.

King's American Dispensatory, 1898:

To the taste baptisia is somewhat bitter, subacrid, and subastringent. It increases the secretions of the glandular apparatus of the gastro-intestinal tract. Large doses are dangerous, acting as an emeto-cathartic.

Small doses act as a laxative. Baptisia is an active and efficient hepatic, stimulating the liver and causing an increased biliary secretion. It loses much of its activity when dried or boiled. It is asserted that baptitoxine increases the respiratory movements, and in toxic doses kills by asphyxiation through paralysis of the respiratory centers.

Baptisia was first employed as a dressing for all kinds of ulcerations, malignant ulcers, sore mouth, mercurial or otherwise, especially when accompanied by foul breath, loss of appetite, and general gastric disturbance. Sore nipples, erysipelatous, scrofulous, and syphilitic ulcers were treated with a decoction of wild indigo. The greater the tendency to mortification, the more highly the remedy was valued. It controls irritable and painful ulcers, lessens their foul discharges, and overcomes putrescency.

Baptisia is of marked value in many forms of malignant sore throat.

While the infusion is undoubtedly the best preparation of baptisia, it can not always be employed, for the dried plant is almost worthless, and the fresh herb not always easily procured. We depend upon specific baptisia, giving it internally in small doses, and applying it locally, diluted with water. Putrid ulcerations of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages are benefited by baptisia. The offensive breath, with turgidity of tissue, will indicate the drug.

In the sore throat of variola it is of great utility. Septicaemia following retained fragments of placenta after abortion has been promptly checked by this drug. In fetid leucorrhoea and ulceration of cervix uteri, especially with muco-purulent discharges, a douche of baptisia will be found beneficial.

Dose of the decoction—made by boiling 1 ounce of the powdered bark in 2 pints of water down to 1 pint—1 tablespoonful every 1, 2, or 4 hours, as required; if it purge, produce nausea, or a disagreeable relaxation of the nervous system lessen the dose, or omit its use entirely for a time; of the alcoholic extract, 1 to 4 grains every 2, 3, or 4 hours.

The usual form of administration is as follows: Rx Specific baptisia, gtt. xx; aqua, fliv. Mix. Sig.: Teaspoonful every 1/2 or 1 hour. Indicated remedies may be given with or alternated with the above. Locally an infusion of the recent plant; or, Rx Specific baptisia, flss; aqua, Oi. Mix. Sig.: Apply 2 or 3 times daily. An ointment: Rx Specific baptisia, fli; vaseline, i. Mix. Sig.: Apply locally to inflamed tumors, chancres, buboes, and ulcers.

American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood):

With the above indications the agent has been widely used for many years by our practitioners in the treatment of typhoid conditions, and has established its position as an important remedy.

It has an apparent dynamic influence upon the glandular structure of the intestinal canal, directly antagonizing disease influences here, and reenforcing the character of the blood, prevents the destruction of the red corpuscles, and carries off waste material. In malignant tonsillitis and diphtheritic laryngitis it has been long used with excellent results. In phagedena with gangrenous tendencies wherever located, it has exercised a markedly curative influence.

It is useful in dysentery where there is offensive breath and fetid discharges of a dark prune juice character.

In scarlet fever, with its specific indications, it is a useful remedy. Large doses are not necessary, but it should be employed early and the use persisted in.

In the treatment of low fevers this agent is said to exercise marked sedative power over the fever. Homeopathic physicians prescribe it to control the fever. There is no doubt that in proportion as the cause of the fever is destroyed, the temperature abates. Any inhibitory influence directly upon the heart and circulation cannot be attributed to it, yet it soothes cerebral excitement to a certain extent, having a beneficial influence upon delirium.

It is advised in all diseases of the glandular system, and in hepatic derangements especially, with symptoms of this character. In the various forms of stomatitis, putrid sore throat and scarlatina maligna; in inflammation of the bowels, where there is a tendency to typhoid conditions, especially ulcerative inflammation of any of the internal organs; in dyspepsia, with great irritability and offensive decomposition of food; in scrofula and in cutaneous infections, the agent should be long continued. In the long protracted and sluggish forms of fevers, with great depression of the vital forces; in ulceration of the nipples or mammary glands, or of the cervix uteri, it is spoken highly of.

There is a dynamic influence exercised by baptisia upon the entire glandular structure of the body when adynamia is present, more particularly upon the intestinal glands. This influence directly reinforces the blood in its effort to throw off the disease, and restore normal conditions. It is because of this influence that it is of value in typhoid.