THE USE OF IRIS IN MEDICINE AND PERFUMERY 
BY 
Miss Heler E. RICKETTS 
Member of American Iris Society 
_ The use of Iris in medicine and perfumery was known to mankind: 
farther back than it is convenient to trace in the literature. However, 
a word or two found here and a few more there, give us some idea 
of the history of Iris. 
As a perfume, Iris oil was mentioned in the third century, among 
the costly spices of the Egyptian King, Ptolemæus Philadelphus. 
As a medicinal plant it found favor with the ancient Greeks. Theo- 
‘phrastus, the favorite pupil of Aristotle, stated that the plants 
growing in Illyria and about the Adriatic throve much better than 
| elsewhere, and that they also varied in property with the locality, 
being less aromatic in the colder regions. He also knew that the 
odor of the rhizome developed after drying and lasted for about six 
‘years. Dioscurides, a Greek physician of the second century, informs 
us, in his Materia Medica, that the various colored Iris, white, light 
yellow, purple, and blue, were named Iris from the rainbow, and 
recommends that the roots be strung on threads when curing. He 
‘stated a preference for the [Illyrian and Macedonian roots to the 
» Libian and others. He also noted that with time the roots increased 
in pleasant odor. He mentions a large number of ailments for which 
Iris was used, as does Pliny. It was used as a chest remedy, and 
succus ireos served as a plaster preparation. Heraclides of Tarent, 
who wrote on the subject of the preparation and use of Iris remedies, 
gave Iris with Hyssop and honey. Alexander Tralleanius gave it 
whith licorice, 
In speaking of the Iris, Pliny said : ‘‘ If one will dig the root, let 
him scatter honey water about him for three months to appease the 
earth with flattery, mark a three fold circle about him with the 
point of his sword, pull out the root and raise it to the heaven ” 
This ritual which seems to have been considerably observed by the 
