NEW PERSPECTIVES ON MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AND USES OF IRIS SP.
Abstract
Rhizomes from various Iris species have been used in traditional
medicine to treat a variety of ailments since ancient times and many constituents
isolated from different Iris species demonstrated potent biological activities in
recent studies. All research findings besides the increasing demand for natural
ingredients in cosmetics and market demand from industries like alcoholic
beverages, cuisine and perfumery indicate a promising future for cultivation of
irises for rhizomes, various extracts but most importantly for high quality orris
butter. Romania is situated in a transitional continental climate with suitable
conditions for hardy iris species and thus with good prospects for successful
cultivation of Iris germanica, Iris florentina and Iris pallida in conditions of
economic efficiency.