Common names  |  Blue flag, Harlequin blueflag, Larger blue flag, Northern blue flag, Purple iris 

Scientific name  |  Iris versicolor
Used part  |  Root

Known active compounds  |  isoflavones, alkaloids, saponins 

Potential benefits in cosmetics  |  anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory 

Product name  |  Blue Flag Root-ANB

 

 

Plant Story

Iris versicolor, also known as blue flag, is a perennial flowering plant native to eastern North America. The genus Iris is the largest and most complicated genus in the family of Iridaceae. Irises have been used mainly ornamentally and in the perfume industry, but iris species have also been used medicinally. Mashed roots of blue flag have been used to treat wounds as an anti-septic and the infusion of its dry roots has been used to relieve pain.

The genus Iris is a rich source of isoflavones, which have shown a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In addition to isoflavones, blue flag roots also contain other bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, quinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and terpenoids. Methanol and aqueous methanol extracts of blue flag roots showed anti-oxidant activity in a study tested on 55 medicinal herbs.