BLUE FLAG (IRIS, ORRIS ROOT)

Iris versicolour: Iridaceae

PLANET: Venus

ELEMENT: Water

TASTE: Bitter, sweet	VIPAKA: pungent
WARMTH: cooling	DOSHAS: V+P-K-

MERIDIANS: Gallbladder, Liver, Lung, Bladder

ACTIONS: alterative, antipyretic, laxative, diuretic, cholagogue, cathartic in large doses.

INDICATIONS: all chronic and acute liver disorders, dropsy

PRECAUTIONS: in large doses, causes nausea and vomiting

CONSTITUENTS: oil containing IRONE and furfural, fat, resin, starch, mucilage, IRIDIN (a glycoside), sterols, salicylic acid

PREPARATION AND USE:
-powdered root, 2 "OO" capsules three times daily
-10-20 drops tincture three times daily

USE IN MAGIC: Money
-carry root for financial gain, also place in cash registers to increase business
-used as funeral herbe to bring peace to the departed
-associated with Iris, Juno, Isis, and Hera
-used on royal sceptres by Egyptians, who see the three petals as faith, wisdom, and valour
-dried and ground, orris root used in incenses and amulets for protection
-often used in incenses to "fix" a scent, especially if essential oils are used
-used in love spells to find a loving mate
-sprinkled on bedsheets and body to induce amorous feelings

USE IN PERSONAL GROWTH:
-gets creative juices flowing and allows any stuck energies to be released.
-diffuses frustrations connected to the creative flow and diminishes thoughts of inadequacy.

"It is a joy to see the beauty within and around me...and to emulate it in all I do."

THE ESSENTIAL OIL

ACTIONS: dried root: anti-diarrheal, demulcent, expectorant.
Fresh root diuretic, cathartic, emetic.

INDICATIONS: Realistically, none. Too expensive. Pure orris oil is 3x price of jasmine

THE FLOWER ESSENCE

PATTERNS OF IMBALANCE: Unable to feel inspiration, lack of creativity, feeling weighed down by the ordinariness of the world.

"It is the soul's mission to build a rainbow bridge between spirit and matter. The pure light of the spirit needs to be ensouled, or coloured with feeling. The rich darkness of matter needs to become luminous and filled with inner meaning. This is the path of the artist, and it is really true that every soul should express itself as an artist. As the physical body needs air to breathe, so does the soul need inspiration in order to live. As the physical body circulates blood in order to nourish itself, so does the soul live through the streaming and weaving of colour. Many modern souls are far from robust, a gray pallor stifles them; they suffocate in the mundane and mechanical. Iris is a fundamental remedy for restoring and revitalising the soul. It is indicated not only for those who are on a specific artistic path, but also for many individuals who need to bring passionate creativity to their life work. Iris essence impels the soul to create and cultivate beauty, within itself and within the world. It is an excellent, universally applicable remedy for initiating and sustaining the soul's development through flower essence therapy and other healing arts; for the flowers are the soul colours of Nature. Thus iris helps the inner life of the human soul harmonise with the Soul of Nature, and in this way to become truly alive, vibrant, and spacious."

Flower Essence information quoted from Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, Flower Essence Repertory, The Flower Essence Society, Nevada City, CA. ISBN 0-9631306-1-7