Editing Orris root

{{Short description|Term for the roots of certain iris plants}}

[[File:Sousbinne souwé.jpg|thumb|Dried orris roots]]

'''Orris root''' (''Rhizoma iridis''; [[etymology]] possibly an alteration of ''[[iris (plant)|iris]]'') is the root of ''[[Iris germanica]]'' and ''[[Iris pallida]]''. It had the common name of Queen Elizabeth Root.<ref name="Cunningham" /> It is commonly used as a [[fixative (perfumery)|fixative]] and [[note (perfumery)|base note]] in [[perfumery]] and as a [[botanical]] in [[gin]].

== Constituent chemicals ==
The most valued component of orris root is [[orris oil|oil of orris]] (0.1–0.2%), a yellow-white mass containing [[myristic acid]]. Oil of orris is sometimes sold as orris butter.

Other components include fat, resin, starch, [[mucilage]], bitter extractive, and a [[glucoside]] called [[iridin]] or irisin.<ref>Margaret Grieve {{Google books|kCDCAgAAQBAJ|A Modern Herbal, Volume 2 (1971)|page=435}}</ref>

== Uses ==
Once important in western [[herbal medicine]], it is now used mainly as a [[fixative (perfumery)|fixative]] and [[note (perfumery)|base note]] in [[perfumery]]; it is the most widely used fixative for [[potpourri]].<ref name="Boland">{{Cite book |last1=Boland |first1=Maureen |last2=Boland |first2=Bridget |title=Old Wives Lore for Gardeners incorporating Gardener's Magic |date=1981 |publisher=Futura |page=118}}</ref> Orris is also an ingredient in many brands of [[gin]],<ref name=lim>T. K. Lim {{google books|-4WMCwAAQBAJ|Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 11 Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs |page=27}}</ref> including [[Bombay Sapphire]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bombay Sapphire Distillery (Laverstoke Mill) – Orris root |url=https://www.diffordsguide.com/producer/1166/bombay-sapphire-distillery/orris-root-from-tuscany-italy |website=www.diffordsguide.com |access-date=8 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Fabienne Pavia, in her book ''L'univers des Parfums'' (1995, ed. Solar), states that in the manufacturing of perfumes using orris, the scent of the iris root differs from that of the flower. After preparation the scent is reminiscent of the smell of [[Violet (plant)|violets]].<ref name="Boland" />

In [[Japan]], the roots and leaves of the plant were hung in the eaves of a house to protect the house and occupants from attacks by evil spirits. Other magic uses include using it as a [[love potion]], with the root powder in sachets, or sprinkled around the house or sheets of a bedroom.<ref name="Cunningham">{{Cite book |last1=Cunningham |first1=Scott |author-link1=Scott Cunningham |title=Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs |date=1999 |publisher=Llewellyn |page=168}}</ref>

== Preparation ==
After an initial drying period, which can take five years or more depending on the use (for potpourri only two to three months<ref name="Boland" />), the root is ground. For potpourri, this powder is used without further processing. For other uses, it is dissolved in water and then distilled. It achieves a highly scented, yellow-brown crystalline form.<ref name=sawer>John Charles Sawer {{Google books|J_cJAwAAQBAJ|Odorographia a natural history of raw materials and drugs used in the perfume industry intended to serve growers, manufacturers and consumers|page=108}}</ref> One ton of iris root produces two kilos of essential oil, also referred to as orris root butter or butter of iris, and it is the most expensive substance used in the fragrance industry.<ref name="black1">{{cite book |last1=Black |first1=Kirsty |title=Whisky and Other Spirits (Third Edition) |date=2022 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/orris-root |access-date=17 November 2023}}</ref> Its fragrance has been described as tenaciously flowery, heavy and woody (paraphrasing ''Pavia'', Dutch translation, page 40). It is similar to [[viola (plant)|violets]].<ref name=sawer />

== In perfume ==
Typical iris perfumes (where orris prevails over the other components) include "Orris Noir" by the London-based perfume house Ormonde Jayne Perfumery,<ref>[http://www.ormondejayne.com/shop/scents/orris_noir/ "Orris Noir Perfume Collection".]  [http://www.ormondejayne.com/ Ormonde Jayne.]   Retrieved 2013-10-18.</ref> "Infusion d'iris" (Prada), "N°15" by Auphorie,<ref>{{Cite web|title=N°15|url=https://auphorie.com/products/no15|access-date=2022-11-20|website=Auphorie|language=en}}</ref> "Iris Silver Mist" (Serge Lutens), "Tumulte" (Christian Lacroix), "Iris nobile" (Aqua di Parma), "Irisia" (Creed), "Y" (Yves Saint Laurent), "Vol de nuit" (Guerlain), and "Fantasy The Naughty Remix" (Britney Spears). "Orris Noir" contains regular orris root oil, ''not'' the oil of ''[[Iris nigricans]]'', which is an endangered species.

== In cuisine ==
Orris root is often included as one of the many ingredients of [[ras el hanout]], a blend of herbs and spices used across the Middle East and North Africa, primarily associated with [[Moroccan cuisine]].

Orris root has been used in [[tincture]]s to flavour [[syrup]]s; its taste is said to be indistinguishable from [[raspberry]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chase|first=Alvin Wood|title=Dr. Chase's recipes: or, Information for everybody|publisher=R. A. Beal|year=1888|edition=23rd|page=[https://archive.org/details/drchasesrecipes00chasgoog/page/n50 44]|chapter=Saloon Department: Syrups|isbn=978-0-665-26928-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/drchasesrecipes00chasgoog}}</ref>

Orris root powder also had a use as the base in the making of [[nonpareils]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jeanes|first=William| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uzRdAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA196|title=The Modern Confectioner: a Practical Guide to the Latest and Most Improved Methods for Making ... Confectionery, Etc|date=1861|publisher=John Camden Hotten|page= 196 | place= London 
| chapter = 336. Nonpareils
}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Iris}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Orris Root}}
[[Category:Iridaceae]]