Blue Flag

Other Names: Iris versicolor, Iris, Iris caroliniana, Iris Versicolore, Iris virginica, Clajeux, Lirio Azul, Lis Bleu, Sweet Flag, Water Flag.
Blue flag is a perennial herb native to North America, and cultivated elsewhere in the world. People use the underground stem (rhizome) of blue flag to make medicine.

Special Precautions of Blue Flag

• Blue flag is UNSAFE. It can cause nausea and vomiting, and the fresh root can irritate the mouth, throat, digestive tract, and skin. Blue flag can also cause headache and swollen, watery eyes.
• Blue flag is UNSAFE for anyone to use, but it is especially unsafe for people with any of the following conditions:
  • Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Blue flag is UNSAFE. Don’t use it if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Stomach or intestinal problems such as infections, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease: Blue flag can irritate the stomach and intestines and should not be used by anyone with any of these conditions.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with Blue Flag
• Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with Blue Flag
• Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Blue Flag
• Do not confuse with Wild Irris.

Benefits and uses of Blue Flag are

Blue Flag has been known as the liver lily because of its dried and powdered rhizome was used as a remedy for impurities of the blood and diseases of the liver. Early American Indians regarded this herb as a virtual panacea and they used the flowers and leaves in a poultice for treating sores and bruises.

• Blue Flag is mainly used to detoxify the body.
• increases urination and bile production
• Constipation : acts as a mild laxative.
• For Liver problems.
• Has been used for biliousness and in digestion and in small doses it relieves nausea and vomiting.
• Due to its cleansing properties, this herb works well in treating acne and eczema, especially when associated with gallbladder problems or constipation
• Skin rashes.
• as a weight loss aid.
• In folk medicine Blue Flag is used as a treatment for skin diseases, rheumatism, and syphilis.