View source for Orris root

{{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}}'''Orris root''' is the root of some species of [[iris (plant)|iris]], grown principally in southern Europe: ''Iris germanica'', ''Iris florentina'', and ''Iris pallida''.  Once important in western [[herbal medicine]], it is now used mainly as a [[fixative]] and [[base note]] in [[perfumery]], as well as an ingredient in many brands of [[gin]] (perhaps most famously in [[Bombay Sapphire]] gin). Orris root must generally be hung and aged for 5 years before it can be used for [[perfumery]]. This substance is left out of products that are labelled hypo-allergenic. {{Fact|date=June 2007}}

Once banned in many parts of Europe, it was smoked and made into pottery. {{Fact|date=June 2007}}

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.

[[Category:Iridaceae]]
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