Iris

Iris pallida (orris, orris)

Iris is one of the most graceful and beautiful perennial plants.

Iris is his name, the color of his flowers tells: After all, his flowers are similar in color to the heavenly Iris. He is called Illyrian because he will be born abundantly in the region of Illyria... - wrote Odo of Mena.

Iris, or iridos, translated from Greek means “rainbow”. According to legend, the first iris bloomed several million years ago in Southeast Asia and it was so beautiful that all living beings admired it. When the seeds ripened, the wind and water carried them all over the world. Like fragments of a rainbow that has fallen to the ground, irises decorate the world: golden yellow - wet meadows; purple - hot deserts; red - sea coast; sky blue - high mountains. And there are also pink, bronze-crimson, sapphire, purple-cherry, snow-white, violet-black irises - you can’t count them all.

In Rus', iris was affectionately called cockerel, magpie flower, lizok, belly, but most often iris. Iris - “beloved, dear, dear, desired.” The ground rhizome was given to small children to quickly cut teeth; a tonic drink was prepared from the roots with the addition of honey and ginger.

For the Arabs, the white iris was a symbol of grief, sadness, and in Ancient Egypt - a symbol of eloquence. In Japan, to this day, on May 5, Boys' Day, this flower can be seen everywhere. The “May pearl” talisman is made from iris and orange. It is he who should help, according to ancient belief, to instill courage and bravery in the heart of a future man. Apparently, for this reason, the same characters are used to write the words “iris” and “warrior spirit” in Japanese.

One of the most beautiful cities in Italy, Florence, got its name thanks to the lushly blooming irises that grew in abundance around the then small Etruscan settlement. “Florence” translated from Latin means “blooming”.

The iris family has about 1800 species. It is mentioned as a medicinal plant by Aristotle, Dioscorides, Theophrastus and many others. Strabo wrote:

We will scrape your roots and dried these scrapings
And then we dilute the crushed ones with wine moisture;
This is how we relieve unbearable pain in the bladder.
Orris root is included in breast tea.

The 9th century French physician Odo of Mena spoke about the wonderful properties of the roots of a beautiful flower:

Wine calms coughs and brings deep sleep; If, hidden inside, the ichor harms the hypochondrium, you will drive it out, taking the powder from the roots along with the wine; Drinking with full honey, it removes excess bile; Together with vinegar, such a powder relieves colic; in the same way, they say, it heals from poisons taken; Whoever suffers from the spleen, who suffered from cramps, and from the cold. Whoever suffered, will be healed by taking the powder with wine; Adopted in the same way, it regulates the slowness and cleanses. And a decoction of the roots softens the hardening of the uterus, If from below it is often warmed with a warm decoction; If it is introduced into the rectum with an enema, then this decoction, they say, will help with severe pain in the seat; An ointment is prepared from such roots in combination with honey, which expels the placenta, if applied to the uterus, and filling the fistula cavities, heals them. Dry the powder with honey in the state of the wound, Put the meat on top, it will dress the bare bones. A third of hellebore powder, which is called white, is combined with fine root powder, using double the weight; Both powders are then mixed with honey. By applying them to your face, you will get rid of freckles. Papules also disappear from your face with this poultice.

Iris roots contain a small amount of essential oil, which gives them a subtle, delicate violet aroma. Orris root oil is almost twice as expensive as rose oil. From 100 kg of raw materials, only 100 g of oil is obtained. It is used in the manufacture of high-quality perfumes, expensive wines and aromatherapy products.

Medicinal properties

1. Recommended for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.
2. Prescribed for the treatment of salivary and pancreatic glands. Improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Effective for diseases of the liver and gall bladder.
4. Choleretic and diuretic.
5. Activates the body's defenses.
6. Indicated for neurodermatitis, furunculosis, long-term non-healing wounds.
7. In folk medicine it was used for dropsy, toothache, heartburn, dyspepsia, ulcers, fistulas, solid tumors, and inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
8. Effective for autonomic neuroses and migraines.
9. Improves complexion, fades freckles, regenerates skin. Used to care for rough skin and remove calluses. Good deodorant.

Dosage

Prescribed individually by an aromatherapist.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance.

Note. Strong oil.