The Magi's Garden : Blue Flag

Blue Flag (Iris versicolor)


Folk Names: Dagger Flower, Dragon Flower, Flag Lily, Fleur de Lys, Flower-de-Luce, Iris, Liver Lily, Poison Flag, Poison Lily, Snake Lily, Water Flag, Water Iris, Wild Iris

Description: The perennial blue flag prefers marshes and wetland. It is native to eastern and central USA and Canada and was transplanted to Europe. The stout, flattened stem rises two to three feet from a thick, cylindrical, creeping root with two ranks of sword-shaped long, narrow leaves. From March to July, each stem produces large, blue or purplish flowers. The flowers have three petal-like spreading or re-curved sepals with yellow, green, or white markings below and three petals smaller than sepals above.

Effects: gentle
Planet: Venus
Element: water
Associated Deities:

Traditions:
The blue flag has been used as a fumigant in Arizona to protect against snakebite during ritual dances.

Magic:
The root is used in money spells and carried for financial gain. It may also be placed in a cash register to increase business. Blue flag may be used in ritual protection against snakes.

Known Combinations:
none noted

Medical Indications: (Caution: The rhizome contains poison called iridin and acrid, resinous substances that act on the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas. Blue flag can cause dermatitis in some people just through contact with their skin. When not in bloom, blue flag has been mistaken for the edible sweet flag.) Parts Used: root, leaves
Blue flag is a cathartic, diuretic, sialagogue, and emetic. While internal use is not recommended due to its poisonous nature, old herbalists used it in a tea for women in childbirth, for diabetes, and tuberculosis. It was used in cases of chronic vomiting, heartburn, chronic gastritis, enteritis, liver and gallbladder ailments, and catarrhal sinus problems. It came highly recommended as a treatment for migraines caused by stomach problems. The Native Americans used it for dropsy, colds, and lung troubles, and the fresh bruised leaves were applied to burns and sores, rheumatism, and syphilitic sores.

Nutrition:
none

Mercantile Uses:
Blue Flag is cultivated mainly as a medical herb, but it is very beautiful and can be found in gardens as well.