Blue Flag Iris versicolor
A member of the Liliaceae family
Habitat: Native to Eastern Canada and the northern United States, it is found in swamps and lowlands.
Found: Grown in parents’ garden in Nerstrand, Minnesota
Parts Used: Root, fresh or dried
Collection Time: Best collected in autumn.
Preparations: Decoction: dried root boiled 10 minutes taken three times a day. Poultice with fresh root. Tincture with fresh root (1:5, 45% alcohol) 3-10 ml three times a day
Energetics: Acrid; cooling and drying
Historical Uses: Historically, blue flag had been used as a cathartic, diuretic, sialagogue. Physicians once used the root as a blood cleanser. Both Native Americans and early settlers used the plant as a remedy for gastric ailments. Also, it has been used medicinally for centuries to detoxify the body and treat sluggish liver action.
Use in Chinese Medicine: Blue flag does not appear to have Chinese medicinal applications.
Flower Essence Usage: As a flower essence, blue flag activates inspiration and properties in the right brain for creativity (such as in dance, music, painting, etc.). It is applicable to all of the moods “associated” with artists, such as a sense of frustration from feeling alone, inadequacy, or lack of inspiration in one's work.
Native American Usage: American Indians used the plant as a purgative and for treating dropsy, or edema.
Folk Uses: Blue flag was once included in the United States Pharmacopoeiaand is still believed in folk medicine to be a blood purifier in eruptive skin conditions.
Personal Experience: N/A
Indications for Use: Skin eruptions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis associated with gallbladder problems; constipation associated with liver problems or biliousness; morning sickness; migraine associated with blurred vision and nausea and is made worse after relaxation from strain, and better by moving around slowly;low blood pressure; weighted sensation on the neck in conjunction with deep depression;addictive personality to things such as junk food, chocolate, sugar, or TV; gout; rheumatoid arthritis; pelvic inflammatory disease; herpes; bad breath; indigestion; weight gain associated with hormonal imbalances
Possible Side Effects: Blue flag should not be used by pregnant or lactating women. Some people may have allergic skin reactions to blue flag root. The fresh root may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It should not be taken by children.It may also cause dermatitis in some people.
Expected Outcomes from Usage: When applied topically, blue flag may help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, which would be a great application for arthritis. Also, it can inhibit infection in bruised, swollen or injured joints. When taken internally, it can promote waste and elimination of effete material from the blood. In skin conditions, blue flag aids the skin by working through the liver, the main detoxifying organ of the body.