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Blue Flag
Iris versicolor
Iridaceae
Habitat : Eastern and Central North America, growing in marshy places,
producing distinctive blue flowers in spring. Commonly grown in Britain
as an ornamental.
Collection : The rhizome os best collected in the autumn.
Part Used : Rhizome
Constituents : oVolatile oil, containing furfural
o Iridin (or irisin), a glycoside
o Acids such as salicylic and isophthalic
o Miscellaneous; a monocyclic C3l triterpenoid, gum, resin, sterols,etc.
Actions : Cholagogue, hepatic, alterative, laxative, diuretic,
anti-inflammatory.
Indications : This useful remedy has a wide application in the treatment
of skin diseases, apparently aiding the skin by working through the
liver, the main detoxifying organ of the body. It may be used in skin
eruptions such as eczema and psoriasis, it is valuable as part of a
wider treatment. It may be used with value where there is constipation
associated with liver problems or biliousness.
Priest & Priest tell us that it is a positive alterative for
chronic, torpid conditions: influences glandular system, lymphatics,
liver and gall ducts, and intestinal glands. Specific for hepatic
congestion due to venous or lymphatic stasis. They give the following
specific indications : chronic hepatitis and rheumatic conditions, toxic
sciatica(?). Scrophulous skin conditions, herpes, eczema, psoriasis.
Enlarged thyroid gland. Uterine fibroids.
Ellingwood considered it specific for clay-colored stools, scanty urine
and the skin inactive and jaundiced. In small doses it is indicated for
irritable conditions of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. In
addition he recommends it for the following patholgies : Chronic hepatic
and intestinal disorders, chronic jaundice, bilious remittent fevers and
chronic ague. Conditions of the stomach that induce sick headaches.
Syphilis. Psoriasis, eczema, tinea. Goitre.
Kings Dispensatory says: The specific indications for Iris may be stated
as fullness of thyroid gland; enlarged spleen; chronic hepatic
complaints with sharp, cutting pain, aggravated by motion; nausea and
vomiting of sour liquids, or regurgitation of food, especially after
eating rich pastry or fats; watery, burning bowel discharges; enlarged
Iymphatics, soft and yielding; rough greasy conditions of the skin;
disorders of sebaceous follicles; abnormal dermal pigmentation;
menstrual wrongs, with thyroid fullness; unilateral fullness; unilateral
facial neuralgia; muscular atrophy and other wastings of the tissues.
Combinations : Blue Flag combines well with Echinacea or Burdock and
Yellow Dock.
Preparations & Dosage : Decoction: put l teaspoonful of the dried
herb into a cup of water and bring to the boil. Let it simmer for l0-l5
minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take 1 ml of
the tincture three times a day.
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins
Technology
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