Iris versicolor
Iridaceae
(Flag lily,fleur-de-lis, Liver lily,poison flag, Wild iris)

Parts Used: Rhizome
Energy and Flavors: bitter,acrid,cool
Systems Affected: Liver
Biochemical constituent: Salicylic and isophthalic acids,volatile oil, iridin, a glycoside,gum,resin sterols
Properties: Alterative,antiinflammatory, cathartic,diuretic,stimulant.

Blue flag is primarily a remedy for ailments of the liver, urinary and glandular systems. Full doses wil produce orompt and rapid bowel evacuation of thin discharges, wich can be debilitating on those who are in a weak state. Thus it is primarily a remedy for ecess, hypermetabolic Yang conditions, relieving stagnation generally throughout the system. As a cathartic it should always be combined with other antigriping and warm agents such as ginger. It is excellent to include in small measure for relieving liver stagnation, and consequently treating a variety of chronic skin conditions including herpes simplex, hepatitis, jaundice and chronic rheumatsim. Finally, recent studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of obesity, as it tends to reduce one's craving for food ( probably because the body is kept active in eliminating)