- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia, Europe (naturalised), North America
- Sanskrit
- Vacha
Asia · Herb · № 402
Acorus calamus
Herb · Asia
Sweet flag
Acorus calamus
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.
Safety notes
Calamus contains β-asarone, which is carcinogenic in animal studies; in the US calamus is banned as a food. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist. Avoid calamus oil: this essential oil is one of those best left out of homemade remedies entirely.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Western herbalism: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: European and Asian sweet flag contain beta-asarone: not internally.
Preparation
In Ayurveda the rhizome is used only after purification (shodhana): it is boiled for a long time, for example in milk, which greatly lowers its β-asarone content. In Europe calamus went into bitters and liqueurs and was candied as a sweet.
Use in traditions
Described in Western herbal medicine and the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Vacha. In Ayurveda calamus (vacha) is a remedy for speech and memory; newborns were given a paste on the tongue. In Europe the rhizome was candied and used in bitters. Indian varieties contain a lot of beta-asarone, which is carcinogenic in animal studies; in the US calamus is banned in food.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Carminative, tonic, stimulating; restores throat and voice (singers), improves concentration/clear thinking, for flatulence and heartburn.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: decoction, tincture, syrup.
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Aromatic, stimulating, bitter, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, promotes menstruation; for diarrhoea, dysentery, bronchial complaints, epilepsy, cramping abdominal pain, paralysed limbs and rheumatic swelling.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tea, powder, oil, compress.
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
For toothache, sore throat, colds and earache. The Haudenosaunee used the native American sweet flag (Acorus americanus).
Preparation and amount
Chew a piece of rhizome, or gargle the decoction; a drop in the ear.
Caution: European and Asian sweet flag contain beta-asarone: not internally.