Iris, Orris and Flower de Luce

Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Left: Iris germanica;   Right: I. florentina
Della Materia Medicinale, Andrea Valuassori, 1562 (left)
Iris germanica
Flora von Deutschland, Kohler, 1886

Iris florentina
Darstellung und Beschreibung sammtliche, Berg, 1858

IRIS FLORENTINA
1, Branched rhizome. 2. Root scars on the under surface. 3. Indistinct annulations. 4. Transverse section showing thick cortex. 5. Section showing conducting tissue in scattered masses.
IRIS GERMANICA
1. Large rhizome showing under surface and numerous root scars. 2. Leaf bases. 3. Portion of unpeeled surface. 4. Cortex. 5. Large, frequently dark, central cylinder.
Squibb's Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919
Botanical name:
Iris germanica, I. florentina

Parts used:
Root

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent
Uses:
1. Clears Cold Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Asthma, shortness of Breath (Orris)

2. Resists Poison:
-Venomous bites and stings (decocted in water and vinegar and drunk)

3. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea (both)

4. Opens Obstructions of the Liver:
-Liver inflammation and Hepatitis (Unani)

5. Clears Damp, Purges Water:
-in formula for Damp, Fluid retention, Edema

6. Externally:
-externally to cleanse the skin, for Itch etc.
-Errhine for the nose, to cleanse the head
-the fresh root bruised and applied as a poultice for Bruising
-juice or powder is applied to Hemorrhoids
-decoction is gargled for Toothache
-oil is applied for cold diseases of the Joints and Sinews, and to Cold Tumors
-fresh or powdered root applied to Wounds and Ulcers to promote healthy flesh
-fresh or powdered root also cleanses and heals Fistulas and Cancer (Flower de Luce)


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Main Combinations:
1. Cough, Wheezing from Cold Phlegm:
i. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Orris with  ... available in PRO version.
iii. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
iv. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
v. with  ... available in PRO version
2. Asthma from Cold Phlegm:
i. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
ii. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
iii. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
iv. Orris with  ... available in PRO version
3. Cold Phlegm of the Head, Orris with  ... available in PRO version
4. Edema, Orris with  ... available in PRO version
5. Ascites, Orris with  ... available in PRO version
6. As an oil to Warm coldness of the Head, Nerves, Joints and Abdomen, Orris with  ... available in PRO version
7. As a cosmetic, Orris  ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas
Electuary of Orris Root (Diaireos Salomonis) (Nicholas)
Cephalic Decoction (Charras)
Powder Proven for Lung Defects and All Coughs (Galen)
Troches of Amber (Galen)
Electuary of Rose (Unani)
Electuary of Pine Nuts (Looch de Pino) (Mesue)
A Sound and Experienced Electuary (Mesue)
Lohoch Effective for Asthma (Serapion)
Pills of Agaric (Mesue)
Pills to Purge Bile and Phlegm (2) (Mesue)
Tincture Against Asthma


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Cautions:
Very drying so not suitable in Yin deficiency

Preparations: