Iris, Orris and Flower de Luce

Bekh e Sosan, Irsa (Unani)
Picture Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

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

 Picture Iris florentina
Darstellung und Beschreibung sammtliche, Berg, 1858
Picture Picture
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
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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

2. Clears Damp, Settles Wind:
-chronic Cold-Wind=Phlegm conditions of the Brain, Nerves and Joints
-Joint pain, Sciatica
-Chronic Headaches, Spasms, Convulsions, Epilepsy, Dizziness

3. Clears Damp, Purges Water:
-in formula for Damp, Fluid retention, Edema
-internally and externally it is useful for Edema (Avicenna)
-the fresh juice or fresh root of Flower de Luce strongly purges Water; Edema

4. Moves the Blood, Promotes Menstruation:
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea (both)
-obstructions of the Uterus
-suppository made with Honey promotes Abortion. (Avicenna)

5. Opens Obstructions of the Liver:
-Liver inflammation and Hepatitis (Unani)
-cold pain of the Liver or Spleen (Avicenna)
-Jaundice, Biliary Fever

6. Resists Poison:
-Venomous bites and stings (decocted in water and vinegar and drunk)
–It acts as an Antidote for all poisons if taken with Vinegar (Avicenna)

7. Externally:
-externally to cleanse the skin, for Itch etc.
-applied to remove Freckles and Lentigo (Avicenna)
-“When mixed with Rose-oil and Vinegar (or wine) and then applied, it removes Headache”. (Avicenna)
-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
-as an enema for Sciatica (Avicenna)


Dose:


Powder: 500mg–3 grams
Picture

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

Cautions:


Very drying so not suitable in Yin deficiency

Preparations: