Woad

Woad is a plant native to Europe and parts of Asia that has historically been used to produce a blue dye. The plant’s leaves contain a compound called indigotin, which, when processed through fermentation and oxidation, develops into a vibrant blue color. This dye was highly valued in ancient times for coloring textiles, especially in Europe before the widespread availability of synthetic dyes. Woad cultivation declines today but remains important historically and culturally as a natural, eco-friendly source of blue pigment, often associated with traditional dyeing techniques and craft practices.