woad plant

Is woad the same as Indigo?

Woad was, and still is, the native European source of indigo blue dye. ... This is confusing as the blue colouring matter in woad is the same as the blue colouring matter in “indigo”, but the dye is much less concentrated in woad leaves, which is why “indigo” eventually largely replaced woad in Europe.

What plant does woad come from?

Isatis tinctoria, also called woad (/ˈwoʊd/), dyer's woad, or glastum, is a flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae. It is occasionally known as Asp of Jerusalem. Woad is also the name of a blue dye produced from the leaves of the plant.

Where can I find woad?

It has been cultivated throughout Europe for hundreds of years, and there were important woad-growing regions in the UK during the medieval period. Native to the steppes and deserts of Central Asia, it is also found throughout south-east and central Europe.

Is woad a hallucinogen?

"The blue part of the Woad is not any sort of hallucinogen, despite lore to the contrary. The raw sap crushed from fresh Woad leaves sometimes causes surface skin numbness, slight dizziness, and in certain bloodlines, a vague impression of less danger or more confidence.

Is Dyer's woad poisonous?

Although dyer's woad is not toxic, it is unpalatable to livestock.

Did Vikings use woad?

“All the Britons dye their bodies with woad, which produces a blue colour, and this gives them a more terrifying appearance in battle.” Vikings may have learned of and adopted this tactic during the period of their invasion and subsequent immersion in Britain, though I haven't seen evidence of this.

Why did the Celts paint their faces blue?

So, where did the idea about the Picts painting themselves blue originate from? Julius Caesar once noted that the Celts got blue pigment from the woad plant and that they used it to decorate their bodies. ... It has also been theorized that the real use of woad was perhaps intended to heal the scars after the battle.

Did Celts paint themselves blue?

It's a big part of pop culture and popular opinion that Celts (especially the Picts) painted themselves blue using a dye from the plant isatis tinctoria (woad). ... All the British color themselves with glass, which produces a blue color.

How do you use woad?

There are several ways of dyeing with woad.

You can dye with freshly picked leaves.
You can extract the dye to store as a powder.
You can make a fermentation vat.
You can store it as a liquid.
You can use the exhausted leaves to make a pink dye.

How do you identify woad?

All leaves have a prominent cream colored mid-rib extending the entire length of the leaf, and a bluish-green color. The leaf color and prominent mid-rib are good identifying characteristics of dyer's woad. The weed has a thick, fleshy tap root that penetrates down to 3 feet into the soil.

What is woad dye used for?

Woad - the blue natural dye in Europe

The Woad plant (Isatis tinctoria) has been famous as a source of blue pigment for several thousand years. Its main use is as a dye for wool and other fabrics.

Does woad grow in the US?

Habitat and Ecology. Native to southeastern Russia, dyer's woad (Isatis tinctoria) is now invasive across the intermountain West of the US.

How do you make woad?

Creating Woad Dye

Woad plants are ready for harvest in the summer months. Take the leaves from the base of the plant and then cut them into small pieces. Submerge the torn or cut leaves in a stainless steel pan of water and bring up to a temperature of 175F (80C). Simmer for about 10 minutes.

What is a Woad warrior?

Woad warriors are brave fighters - and mad. They disdain armour and most cloting, preffering to paint themselves with intricate and stylised magical designs in woad (a blue dye) to deflect enemy blows and missiles.

What is isatis root good for?

The leaves and roots of the plant are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Isatis is used to treat the common cold and other infections of the nose, throat, and sinuses (upper respiratory tract infections), as well as infections of the glands that make saliva (parotitis).

How do I get rid of Dyer's woad?

Cutting off the blooms before they turn to seed will minimize the spread of woad. Sowing weed-free seed and feeding livestock with weed-free hay can also help reduce the impact of the plant. In some situations, repeated tilling of an area is an effective way of getting rid of woad.

What kills dyer's woad?

Metsulfuron Methyl—Selective herbicide. Kills broadleaf plants, but not grasses, if used properly. Utah County Weed Control preferred choice of herbicide for spraying Dyers Woad.

Did Vikings get high?

Elite Viking warriors, known as berserkers, used to imbibe large quantities to induce hallucinations and whip up their battle frenzies. The word 'berserk' is derived from this practice. 'The Vikings would make a drink laced with it and take it before they went into a fight.

Did Vikings tattoo their faces?

Now these may well have been temporary, rather than permanent tattoos. There are references to the faces being painted during rituals, with either blood or ash used to create an ink that was dark blue in appearance, again not permanent, but still further evidence that the skin was marked in special ways.

Why did Scots paint themselves blue?

The ancient people of Scotland used to paint themselves with it, or even use it as a tattoo medium, to look more fierce. That's why the Romans called them the “Picti” or Picts, the “painted people”. Oh, and they didn't look anything like Mel Gibson. Woad produces a very dark blue, sometimes black.