Evidence supporting the use of: Blue flag
For the health condition: Glands (swollen lymph)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and 19th-century Western herbalists. It was commonly used as a "blood purifier" and is referenced in eclectic texts as a remedy for swollen or inflamed glands, including lymph nodes, as well as for conditions such as scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis). However, the rationale for its use was based on the doctrine of signatures and traditional concepts of cleansing rather than any modern understanding of lymphatic function. There is a lack of scientific studies or clinical trials evaluating Blue Flag’s effectiveness in treating swollen glands or supporting the lymphatic system. No active constituents have been specifically linked to lymphatic effects in pharmacological research. Modern herbal reference texts often omit Blue Flag due to safety concerns (it can be toxic in higher doses) and a lack of evidence for efficacy. Thus, while its use for swollen glands is clearly rooted in tradition, there is minimal empirical support to validate these historical claims.
Other ingredients used for Glands (swollen lymph)
AbrusAbuta
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Ajuga
Allicin
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
Angelica
Aralia
Ardisia
Arisaema
avens
Baikal Skullcap
Baliospermum
banyan
Barleria
bee propolis
betel
betony
bitter grass
black nightshade
black root
blackthorn
blue flag
Bombax
borneol
bovine
Broussonetia
Bupleurum
burdock
Butea monosperma
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
castor oil
Celosia
Centipeda
chickweed
Chinese silkvine
cinquefoil
cleavers
Collinsonia
commiphora
Coptis chinensis
costus
Cyathula
Cynodon dactylon
Cynomorium
cypress
devil\'s club
Dianthus
Dichrostachys glomerata
Didymocarpus
Dipsacus
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
elephant\'s head
Erodium cicutarium
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fang-feng
fern
ferula assafoetida
Ficus simplicissima
fu ling
Fuchsia
Galangal
Galium
garlic
geranium
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Gnaphalium
goldenrod
goldenseal
goldthread
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Herb Robert
Homalomena
honeysuckle
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
Indian bael
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Indian frankincense
Isatis
Japanese sophora
joe-pye
Kachnar
Kokilaksha
Large-leaved linden
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
little ironweed
luffa
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mountain mahogany
Mustard
Myrrh
onion
Onosma bracteatum
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
pagoda tree
Patrinia
paw paw
Pentatropis capensis
peony
Petiveria
Peucedanum
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Physalis angulata
Platycodon
platycodon root
Plumbago zeylanica
Polygonatum
Potentilla
Premna
prepared aconite tuber
Psacalium peltatum
Pulsatilla
punarnava
Quisqualis
reishi mushroom
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Sandy Everlasting
Sanguisorba
Sanicle
Scabrous Gentian
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Sensitive Plant
serratiopeptidase
sheep's sorrel
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spilanthes
spruce
Stereospermum
Stone Root
sweet flag
Swertia
Taraxacin
Taxillus chinensis
Thuja
Trichosanthes
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Umckalin
Vervain
Violet
Water Pepper
White oak
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow Dock
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Other health conditions supported by blue flag
BackacheCanker Sores
Edema
Epilepsy
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Kidney Infection
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Nausea and Vomiting
Nervous Exhaustion
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Rashes and Hives
Wounds and Sores
