Acorus Calamus



The use of Acorus Calamus is widespread among the native people of North America.

It is commonly known as sweet flag, flag root and sweet calomel, rat root, sweet sedge, sweet myrtle, sweet cane and sweet rush amongst other names.

The Calamus plant is smelly with sword-shaped leaves and small, yellow-green flowers. It can be found near swamps and banks in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Its roots are collected in late fall or spring. They are washed and their small hairs are removed. The root is then dried at low temperature.

The calamus root can be chewed. It can also be chopped and prepared as tea. The active ingredients in calamus are Asarone and beta-Asarone

The calamus root is known to destroy a taste for tobacco. It is therefore used as an aid to quit smoking tobacco. The Chinese consider it as having anti-bacterial and expectorant properties.

Benefits of Acorus Calamus Root

  • Stomach Disorders: The Calamus root gives relief to the stomach by relieving flatulence and colic.

    It also increases appetite and is used to alleviate chronic diarrhoea.

    It is said to be effective at treating heartburn, bloating, upset stomach, nausea, belly cramping, and constipation.

  • Mouth Disorders: Calamus is used in treating mouth ulcers. A piece of the herb can be rubbed on the tongue for relief.

  • Asthma: Calamus removes catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes.

  • Whopping Cough: Calamus powder is effective home remedy for children suffering from whopping cough. A pinch of the powder can be given with honey.

    Side Effects

    Caution is urged in use of any calamus product.

    They are so many different types and are hard to distinguish.

    The presence of B-asarone gives calamus carcinogenic properties.

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