Iris rhizomes (iris pallida) powder

Scientific name: Iris pallida

Synonym: Iris florentina

Family: Iridaceae

Common name: Iris, Giaggiolo

Known for centuries for its healing properties, in the early 1900s it was very fashionable to make a powder by reducing the rhizome to an impalpable powder and applied to the skin, sometimes with a hint of pomace oil to keep it adherent to the skin and increase nutrition.

In the world of incense, adding a small amount of rhizome powder to your stick blends can help fix your essential oils or otherwise keep the aroma in the stick, as well as give a slight green and violet smell.

I am currently collaborating with a couple who have decided to change their lives by becoming farmers of this famous plant. Together we are trying to develop all the products that can be produced, including the famous essence of Iris.

Long and rather sad story, as Caterina de Medici in the mid-1500s asked farmers and alchemists to produce and extract the essence from the rhizome, a complicated and expensive process came out but with a great result in the world of perfumery of those times. The essence was really interesting to give a floral touch, classic sweetness of the irons contained inside the rhizome, which only after careful removal of the peel and seasoning for over 2 or 3 years releases its potential.

Unfortunately Caterina for some agreement decides to give the “patent” to some other French family thus losing control of the production and to all effects the French became the main producers of this essence.

More info:

https://www.galacademy.com/lab-life/iris-lolio-essenziale-piu-pregiato-al-mondo/