The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Orris Root

Scientific Names

Orris Root

  • Iris X Germanica var. Florentina
  • Iridaceae
  • Iris family

Common Name

  • Florentine iris

Back to Top

Parts Usually Used

Rootstock
Back to Top

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Orris root is the rootstock of the Florentine iris. It has the typical erect, basal, sword-like leaves. The flowers are white with blue veins, violet scented, the outer divisions fringed with yellow. Flowering time is from March through July.

Plant likes full sun in deep, rich, well-drained soil. Harvest rhizomes in late autumn.

Orris is obtained from 3 varieties of garden Iris known botanically as Iris Germanica, Iris pallida, and Iris Florentina.
Back to Top

Where Found

Grows in the Mediterranean countries.
Back to Top

Medicinal Properties

Diuretic, stomachic.
Back to Top

Legends, Myths and Stories

Orris root is native to Asia Minor, the Balkans, and Italy.

The dried rhizomes have been used by herbalists for many centuries. Fresh, the rhizomes have little odor, but dried, they have a sweet scent of violets. The characteristic violet odor is gradually developed during the drying process and does not attain its maximum fragrance for at least 2 years. Used years ago to keep linen, blankets, wardrobes, chests, etc., fresh and smelling sweet. Orris has been used as the main ingredient in almost all the old-fashioned face powders, foot powders, sachet powder, dental creams, violet scented soaps and cosmetics, and pot-pourri.

Whole roots of Orris, resembling the human form, are used in voodoo performances and the powdered root is an ingredient in “love potions.”
Back to Top

Uses

Orris root is used in treatment of dropsy and other water retention problems. It is also used sometimes for bronchitis, coughs, and sore throat; for colic; and for congestion in the liver. Relieves shortness of breath, resists poisoning, starts menses as a uterine stimulant, and reduces bruises if used externally.
Back to Top

How Sold

Commercial production of orris root is centered in Florence, Italy.
Back to Top

Warning

Do not use during pregnancy, it is a uterine stimulant.
Back to Top

Bibliography

Herbal Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, Cornell Plantations, Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley., Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition

Buy It! Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs, by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814)

Buy It! The Herbalist Almanac, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, copyright 1988, fifth printing, 1994

Buy It! Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

Buy It! The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book), edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, PA, 18049., 1974

Back to Top

Share