Iris

Up to 1.5 m tall perennials from the iris family (Iridaceae), which are mainly native to the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere (especially northern Italy). Iris pallida has three-part flowers that usually bloom from April to June and cylindrical
3-chambered capsule fruits with seeds. Fruit ripening: August to September. Characteristic are the narrow, sword-like leaves that give the plant its name. They have rhizomes, tubers or bulbs as storage organs.

Iris pallida is the parent plant of Iridis rhizoma, also known as iris root, the officinal (DAB6) extract from the rhizomes.

The peeled, dried root (iris rhizome - Iridis rhizoma) is used phytopharmacologically.

In the cosmetics industry: Iris pallida root extract (INCI), see also Iris versicolor extract (INCI)

The iris is used for textile dyeing(flavonoids, yellow dyes) and leather tanning(tannins), and is also popular as an ornamental plant.

Cosmetics and nutrition:

• Aromatic in various tea blends, toothpastes, tooth powder.
• Fragrance (Concrète): The essential oil, which is obtained by steam distillation from the peeled, washed, dried and powdered rhizomes of the plants, is used as a high-quality fragrance in perfumes and various other cosmetics.
• Iris pallida root extract (INCI) is the resin obtained by alcohol extraction from the peeled, washed, dried and powdered rhizomes of the plants. The extract is used in cosmetic formulations.

Homeopathy: Fresh unpeeled rhizomes are used for migraines, stomach complaints and diseases of the pancreas, for example.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/schwertlilie.php
2. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 351-353

3. Montag A (2023) Plants and skin. Springer-Verlag GmbH. S. 875-876