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Note - the monographs are provided for informational purposes only, and are not to be used for self-medication.

Iris versicolor (Blue Flag)

Botanic Name

Iris versicolor

Common Name

Liver Lily, Poison Flag, Water Flag, Snake Lily, Dragon Flower, Dagger Flower 1

Family

Iridaceae

Parts Used

Root/Rhizome best collected in Autumn

Habitat

Wetlands in eastern and central North America, imported as an ornamental to many parts of the world 2

Constituents

Triterpenoids (notably iriversical) 3

Acids (small amounts of isophthalic and salicylic) 3

Volatile oil 3

Oleoresin (iridin) 3

Starch, gum, tannin, sugars, phytosterols, fatty acids 3

Actions

Laxative 3

Cholagogue 3

Diuretic 3

Emetic (but anti-emetic in small doses) 3

Circulatory and lymphatic stimulant 2

Alterative 4

Anti-inflammatory 4

Applications

Skin diseases – via the liver 4

Eczema, spots, and blemishes 4

Psoriasis 4

Constipation associated with biliousness and liver problems 4

Skin conditions associated with poor or congestive circulation 2

At low dosage, vomiting of pregnancy 3

Dosage

Low Medium Dose Herb

Dried Rhizome 0.6 – 2 gm decoction tds 3

LE (1:1, 45%) 0.6 – 2ml tds 3

Tincture (1:5, 45%) 3 – 10 ml tds 3

Combinations

Echinacea, Arctium, and Rumex 4

C/I Cautions

May cause nausea and vomiting 5

Fresh root may cause irritation to the mucosa 5

BHP S/I

Skin (cutaneous) eruptions 6

References

  1. Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal, Tiger, Great Britain, 1994.
  2. Mills, S., The Complete Guide to Modern Herbalism, Thorsons, Great Britain, 1994.
  3. Bradley, P.R.(Ed.), British Herbal Compendium Volume I, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1992.
  4. Hoffmann, D., The New Holistic Herbal, Element, Dorset, 1990.
  5. McGuffin, M., Hobbs, C., Upton, R., Goldberg, A., American Herbal Products Association - Botanical Safety Handbook, CRC Press, 1997.
  6. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia 1983. British Herbal Medical Association. 1989.

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Revised: May 20, 2002 .