Orris Root

Western Bulk Herbs – Orris Root

Orris root has anti-inflammatory properties that are a great help to sore throats and colds. It is mildly diuretic and was historically used to treat dropsy or heart failure. This herb was once used in dental preparations and perfumery. Also available as a powder.

Latin Name:
Iris germanica

Common Names:
Purple Flag, Bearded Iris, Garden Iris.

Parts Used:
The dried root

Properties:
Emetic, cathartic, diuretic, aromatic, expectorant, antidiarrheal

Traditional Uses:
Powder, infusion, or tincture and has been put into capsules.

Topical Uses / Applications:
N/A

Culinary Uses:
Orris root tincture is said to taste indistinguishable from raspberry, and the ground root is used in Ras el Hanout, a spice from Morocco.

Folk Lore:
In Japan, the leaves and roots of orris were hung about the house to ward off evil spirits. It was also used as an aphrodisiac.

Chemical Properties:
Starch, myristic acid, iridin, nine recently identified anti-inflammatory flavonoids and four isoflavone glycosides: iriskashmirianin 4′-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), nigricin 4′-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), irilone 4′-O-beta-D-glucoside (3) and iridin (4).

Cautions:
GRAS: Generally Recognized as Safe. This herb can be safely consumed when used appropriately. It is possible that the fresh root may cause irritation to the mucosa.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.
The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.
A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)
Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.
(1999). Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn. p. 168.
Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs & Preparations. R.C. Wren (C.W. Daniel Company, United Kingdom)