The term 'West Indian Shrub' refers to two plants, ANIL and Earwort. ANIL is a shrub native to the Caribbean islands, and is also known as Indigo or Indigofera tinctoria. It has been used for centuries to produce a blue dye. Earwort is a flowering plant found in tropical regions of the world, including the West Indies. It is known for its small white flowers and is often used in traditional medicine.