The efficacy and function of Iris odorata[picture]

The development of Western medicine has brought some crises to traditional Chinese medicine. But traditional Chinese medicine still has many magical aspects. Let’s talk about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Iris [picture].

[Other names] Ma Lian, Li Shi, Ma Lian flower

[Source] It is a plant of the genus Iris in the family Iridaceae, Iris lactea Pall. var. chinensis （Fisch.）Koidz. [I. pallasii Fisch. var. chinensis Fisch.]. Its flowers, seeds and roots are used as medicine. Pick the flowers when they are in bloom in summer, dry them in the shade and set aside; pick the ripe fruits in autumn, dry them in the sun, rub off the seeds and remove impurities. In the same season, you can dig up the roots, wash them, cut them into sections and dry them in the sun for later use.

[Original morphology] Perennial herb with short and strong rhizomes and many tough fine roots that grow vertically into the ground. The leaves are basal, clustered, with remnant fibrous leaf sheaths. The leaf blades are linear, leathery, tough, with several protruding parallel veins on both sides, green in color, and slightly reddish brown at the base. Between April and May, the pedicels emerge from between the leaves, with 1 to 3 flowers, each with a linear lanceolate bract; the perianth is bluish-purple, with a stem of about 6 cm; the outer 3 pieces are spoon-shaped, curved outward, about 4.5 cm long, with yellow stripes in the middle, and the inner 3 pieces are oblanceolate, upright, 5 to 6 cm long; there are 3 styles, with 2 lobes at the tip, and are petal-shaped. The fruit is fusiform, with three edges and a sharp beak at the tip. The seeds are irregular in shape, ridged, brown and smooth.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in fields and roadsides. There is also cultivation. It is distributed in most provinces of our country.

[Pharmacological action] 1. The alcohol extract of Iris has an anti-implantation effect on mice.

[Nature and flavor] Flower : salty, sour, bitter, slightly cool.

[Functions and indications] Flowers : clear away heat and cool blood, promote diuresis and reduce swelling. Used for vomiting blood, hemoptysis, epistaxis, sore throat, difficulty urinating, and urinary tract infection; used externally to treat carbuncles, furunculosis, and bleeding from trauma.

[Usage and Dosage] 0.5-1.5 cents for flowers; 1-3 cents for seeds and roots.

[Additional prescription] Bone tuberculosis: stir-fry and grind Iris seeds into powder, take 5-7 grams each time, 3 times a day, reduce the dosage for children. For external use, mix 2 parts of iris seed powder and 5 parts of vaseline into a paste and apply it to the affected area. The longest duration of medication is 8 months and the shortest is 2 months. It also has a certain effect on lymph node tuberculosis.

【Excerpt】 National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines

[Source] 1. "Ben Cao" has an entry for "Li Shi", which refers to the seeds of Ma Lin. For example, "Bencao Tujing" records: "Li Shi is the seed of Ma Lin... (Ma Lin) has leaves similar to leeks but longer and thicker. It blooms purple flowers in March and bears horns in May. The seeds are as big as hemp but red with edges. The roots are slender and yellow, and people use them as brushes." A picture of Li Shi in Jizhou is also attached.

The above is a detailed introduction to the effects and functions of Iris [Picture]. When choosing it, pay attention to the dosage to avoid causing harm to your body.