Orris
OTHER NAME(S): Blue Flag, Daggers, Flag Lily, Flaggon, Fliggers, Florentine Iris, Gladyne, Iris d'Allemagne, Iris de Florence, Iris des Jardins, Jacob's Sword, Lirio Azul, Liver Lily, Myrtle Flower, Poison Flag, Rhizoma Iridis, Segg, Sheggs, Snake Lily, Water Flag, White Dragon Flower, Wild Iris, Yellow Flag, Yellow Iris, Iris pallida, Iris junonia, Iris germanica, Iris germanica var. florentina, Iris florentina, oris, Iris germanica var. florentine, Raíz de Lirio, Iris
Overview
Orris root comes from two different species of iris, Iris pallida and Iris germanica. It is sometimes used to make medicine.
Orris root is generally used in combination with other herbs and can be found in homeopathic dilutions and tea preparations. Orris contains many chemicals, but it's not clear how it might work in the body.
People use orris root for conditions such as bad breath, bronchitis, wound healing, and joint pain, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Orris overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Orris root is likely safe in the small amounts used as a flavoring ingredient in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if orris root that has been dried and peeled is safe to use. And it is possibly unsafe to use the fresh plant juice or root. It can cause severe irritation of the mouth, as well as stomach pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if orris root that has been dried and peeled is safe to use. But it is possibly unsafe to use the fresh plant juice or root. It can cause severe skin irritation. Orris root might also cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Orris root is likely safe in the small amounts used as a flavoring ingredient in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if orris root that has been dried and peeled is safe to use. And it is possibly unsafe to use the fresh plant juice or root. It can cause severe irritation of the mouth, as well as stomach pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if orris root that has been dried and peeled is safe to use. But it is possibly unsafe to use the fresh plant juice or root. It can cause severe skin irritation. Orris root might also cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if orris root is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Orris overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of orris root might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Van Hevelingen A. The orris iris. The Herb Companion 1992;4:32-5.
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 172 -- Food additives permitted for direct addition to food for human consumption. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.510
- Mykhailenko O. Composition of Volatile Oil of Iris pallida Lam. from Ukraine. Turk J Pharm Sci 2018;15(1):85-90.
- Mahdinezhad MR, Hooshmand S, Soukhtanloo M, Jamshidi ST, Ehtiati S, Ghorbani A. Protective effects of a standardized extract of Iris germanica on pancreas and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Res Pharm Sci 2020;16(1):71-78.
- Baudy A, Samaran Q, Dereure O, Raison-Peyron N. Allergic contact dermatitis to Iris germanica root in a "natural" cosmetic. Contact Dermatitis 2021;85(1):111-112.
- Gooderham NJ, Cohen SM, Eisenbrand G, et al. FEMA GRAS assessment of natural flavor complexes: Sage oil, Orris Root Extract and Tagetes Oil and related flavoring ingredients. Food Chem Toxicol 2023;179:113940.
- Choo JH, Lee HG, Lee SY, Kang NG. Iris Pallida Extract Alleviates Cortisol-Induced Decrease in Type 1 Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Syntheses in Human Skin Cells. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023;45(1):353-363.
- Kazandjieva J, Dimitrova J, Sankeva M, et al. Efficacy of a retinoid complex plus anti-inflammatory component cream alone or in combination with prebiotic food supplement in adult acne: A randomized, assessor-blinded, parallel-group, multicenter trial on 184 women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(11):5716-5722.