Description: The perennial blue flag prefers marshes and wetland. It is native to eastern and central USA and Canada and was transplanted to Europe. The stout, flattened stem rises two to three feet from a thick, cylindrical, creeping root with two ranks of sword-shaped long, narrow leaves. From March to July, each stem produces large, blue or purplish flowers. The flowers have three petal-like spreading or re-curved sepals with yellow, green, or white markings below and three petals smaller than sepals above.
Effects: gentle
Planet: Venus
Element: water
Associated Deities:
Traditions:
The blue flag has been used as a fumigant in Arizona to protect against snakebite during ritual dances.
Magic:
The root is used in money spells and carried for financial gain. It may also be placed in a cash register to increase business.
Blue flag may be used in ritual protection against snakes.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Nutrition:
Mercantile Uses:
Blue flag is a cathartic, diuretic, sialagogue, and emetic. While internal use is not recommended due to its poisonous nature, old herbalists used it in a tea for women in childbirth, for diabetes, and tuberculosis. It was used in cases of chronic vomiting, heartburn, chronic gastritis, enteritis, liver and gallbladder ailments, and catarrhal sinus problems. It came highly recommended as a treatment for migraines caused by stomach problems. The Native Americans used it for dropsy, colds, and lung troubles, and the fresh bruised leaves were applied to burns and sores, rheumatism, and syphilitic sores.
none
Blue Flag is cultivated mainly as a medical herb, but it is very beautiful and can be found in gardens as well.