Uses, side effects, interactions, dosage, and warning. Jul 03, 2016 vacha also called calamus and sweet flag in english and botanically, acorus calamus is a potent nootropic herb. Acorus calamus, commonly known as sweet flag or calamus sanskrit. Acorus calamus also called sweet flag or calamus, among many common names is a species of flowering plant, a tall wetland monocot of the family acoraceae, in the genus acorus. In studies with isolated guinea pig trachea and atria, a crude extract of a. Common names balinis ajeras in lithuanian bastardsennep in danish. It is a popular plant with many names including beewort, bitter pepper root, flag root, gladdon, myrtle flag, sweet flag, sweet sedge and others. The leaves are strongly scented rhizomes and have been traditionally used since centuries. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. Acorus calamus commonly called sweet flag is a deciduous, spreading, marginal aquatic perennial that features irislike, swordshaped leaf blades to 34 wide typically growing in basal clumps to 30 tall. Information about calamus including uses, images, and links to other resources.
Acorus calamus, a semiaquatic herb with creeping rhizomes, shows diverse. There has been much hue and cry about the toxicity of a. The plant is found in the northern temperate and subtropical regions of asia, north america, and europe. Now you can begin to totally avoid using cannabis with calamus, and, if you continue to work with the plant in a sacred way, you can get into that space by chewing very small amount of the root, and eventually, perhaps simply by summoning the plant from within. Acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant, in which the scented leaves and rhizomes have been traditionally used medicinally against different ailments like, fever, asthma, bronchitis, cough and mainly for digestive problems such as gas, bloating, colic, and poor digestive function. To overcome sinus congestion, common cold and sinus headache, it is suggested to use its powder into the nose, which causes sneezing thus cleanses the respiratory tract. Acorus calamus sweet flag sweet flag acorus calamus. It is indeed interesting to see that ayurvedic texts like the cakradatta have recommended the purification of calamus root before use tripathi, 1991.
In the united states, calamus is expressly prohibited for food use per the code of federal regulations, but in other countries, it is allowed as long as the beta asarone is kept beneath a certain level. It has been used in traditional chinese medicine and in indian medicine ayurveda as a medicinal herb for its cognitive properties. The benefits and side effects of calamus acorus calamus. Acorus calamus is a tall perennial plant belonging to the acorus genus. An illustrated flora of the northern united states, canada and the british possessions. The rhizome and leaf essential oil compositions of acorus calamus l. Sweet flag, calamus, acorus gramineus plant delights nursery. A carcinogenic substance in the plant that is known as. If calamus is an ally for you, you will know it by now. Calamus is also used as a medicinal herb to treat a wide variety of illnesses. It likes the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers, but ive seen it growing in drier soil as well.
There are at least four types of acorus calamus reported, native to different geographic regions. Analgesic and cytotoxic activity of acorus calamus l. Suitability of the medicinal plant, acorus calamus l. Acorus calamus is one of 30 herbs listed as unsafe by the fda anon 1975. Acorus calamus also called sweet flag or calamus, among many common names is a tall perennial wetland monocot of the acoraceae family, in the genus acorus. Introduction acorus calamus also called sweet flag or calamus, among many common names1 is a. It is in flower from may to july, and the seeds ripen from july to august. Acorus calamus, commonly known as sweet flag, is a seasoning and herb traditionally used in ayurveda and traditional chinese medicine for its cognitiveenhancing properties preclinical studies suggested that acorus calamus supplementation had potential for treating neuropathic pain unfortunately, supplementation of acorus calamus is not practical. Mainly the rhizome of acorus calamus is used because the content of the essential oil is highest in the rhizome. It is well known for its bitter taste, spiciness and its aromatic smell. Acorus calamus name synonyms acorus aromaticus gilib. The aim of the study was to evaluate analgesic and cytotoxic activity of acorus calamus l. Pdf acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant. Araceae have been investigated in detail from various parts of the world, but the root oil composition has rarely been investigated.
However, the plant, root, extracts, and oil are all banned from use in the united states. The root of the plant is also one of the possible ingredients of absinthe. Provided by ars systematic botany and mycology laboratory. Its root is a best antidote for the illeffects of marijuana. Sweet flag is best used as an accent plant in moist woodland gardens or as a bog plant. Unfortunately, supplementation of acorus calamus is not. Acorus calamus is an important medicinal herb that is widely used. Calamus or sweet flag rhizome is derived from the perennial herb acorus calamus, which is widely distributed in damp situations in europe and north america. The effects of calamus root both energize and reduce anxiety thus why it is considered a powerful balancing herb. Rhizomes are collected by women and children during late november to february. Medicinal uses in central asia, acorus calamus has been used as a medicine for over two thousand years being a traditional folk cure for everything from arthritis to nervousness. An overview on various properties and pharmacological studies. Acorus calamus supplement health benefits, dosage, side.
Neuromodulatory effect of acrous calamus leaves extract on. Native american indians would simply eat roots in 1inch sections as a general tonic, in 2inch sections to help them continue their hunts. It can cause kidney damage, shaking, and seizures the fda prohibits calamus use in food products because three of the four species of calamus found in the world contain a cancercausing chemical called betaisoasarone. Although used in traditional medicine over centuries to treat digestive disorders and pain, there is no clinical evidence for its safety or efficacy and ingested calamus may be toxic leading to its. The leaves and rhizomes of these wetland monocot plants have a strong fragrance. The genus acorus has three species, the deciduous acorus americanus, acorus calamus and the evergreen acorus gramineus. Dec 29, 2015 acorus calamus medicinal uses and pictures.
It differs only in being a fertile diploid 2n 24, whereas most of the a. Acorus calamus sweet flag, andor its bioactive phytochemical alpha. Feb 24, 2014 acorus calamus, also known as sweet flag or just calamus, is a plant native to asia and india. The record derives from wcsp data supplied on 20120323 which reports it as an accepted name record 2304 with original publication details. The rhizomes contain oil which has many medicinal uses. The use of traditional medicine in both developing and. Due subtropical and warm regions of indian to varied uses, there has been demand for. Geetanjali institute of pharmacy, geetanjali university, udaipur302, india. Literature supporting both its therapeutic properties as well as toxicities perturbs for now a clear interpretation of what calamus oils role is therapeutically, although its exotic nature and beautiful aroma compel me to make it available.
In particular, the sterile triploid acorus calamus has been dispersed by this means. Acorus calamus is a reedlike, aquatic plant with a pungent smell that has been used medicinally since biblical times. There were only limited studies done on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic extracts of a. Acorus americanus was formerly classified as acorus calamus var. It is an integral part of the traditional indian and chinese systems of medicine and has a long history of use wu et al.
Calamus essential oil has been used as a flavoring for the food and beverage industry for beer, tonics, tooth powders, and more. The acorus calamus has a number of health benefits that can be attributed to the makeup of the plant. It is creeping and branched with cylindrical rhizome. Acorus calamus is a semiaquatic plant that likes to grow with wet feet, often alongside irises, cattails, and other waterweeds.
Acorus calamus is a perennial growing to 1 m 3ft 3in by 1 m 3ft 3in at a medium rate. Chemical composition of root essential oil of acorus calamus l. Traditional uses of wetland medicinal plant acorus calamus. An overview on various properties and pharmacological studies of acorus calamus dhruti bhatt, gaurav kumar sharma, ronak soni, ashok dashora. Again, these are whole pieces of organic acorus calamus var. Acorus calamus sweet flag is a wellknown traditional herb used in india. These plants are sometimes mistakenly referred to as sedges or rushes.
Haimavati, vacha, and various rushes and sedges,is a plant from the acoraceae family, in the genus acorus. Feb 15, 2014 an overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile of acorus calamus linn. Its root rhizome is used in ayurvedic medicine for improving memory, cognition, intelligence, voice, and other mental abilities. Dioscorides, the classic greek practitioner of medicine used the smoke of the plant breathed through a funnel as a treatment for the cough. The aim of the present paper is to provide information regarding the ethnopharmocology, ethnobotany, therapeutic uses and scientific studies carried out on sweet flag acorus calamus linn. Thus the herbarius zu teutsch, published at mainz in 1485, describes and includes a woodcut of this iris under the name acorus.
In japan, korea, and india, people collect acorus for use as medicine. It is a tall perennial wetland monocot with scented leaves and more strongly scented rhizomes, which have been used medicinally, for its. Many ethnomedicinal and ethnobotanical uses have been ascribed to the rhizomes of the plant. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile. The northern native americans use the herb for medical purposes as well as a stimulant. Acorus calamus was established more than 15 years ago in pakruojis the wonderful nature retreat in northern lithuania, near where the river kruoja flows and also in the vicinity of one of the most beautiful and largest lithuanian mansions that has survived to the present day. Find highquality acorus calamus stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Acorus calamus is a semiaquatic plant that likes to grow with wet feet, often alongside irises, cattails, and other water weeds. Pdf an overview on traditional uses and pharmacological. Prolonged use of acorus calamus has a number of side effects and subjects that took the herb for more than one year, even in low dosage, experienced problems like intestinal tumor and organ damage. The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by insects. Acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant, in which the scented leaves and. The plant has been used to cure several diseases like asthma, fever, cough, epilepsy, hysteria, skin diseases, depression, haemorrhoids, diarrhea, insomnia, dysentery, kidney and liver problems, mental retardation, bronchitis and as a sedative. Initially, europeans confused the identity and medicinal uses of the acorus calamus of the romans and greeks with their native iris pseudacorus.
Acorus calamus overdose other psychoactives welcome to. Acorus calamus root and oil health benefits, uses, effects. Experimental evidence for use of acorus calamus asarone for. Well good news for north americans its native calamus is safe and very effective for many conditions. Acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant, in which the scented leaves and rhizomes have been traditionally used medicinally against different ailments like, fever, asthma.
Acorus calamus has been found to contain an alkaloid that may be carcinogenic. The ethanolic extract has antiproliferative and immunosuppressive properties and is found to inhibit the. Houghton2 1school of natural product studies department of pharmaceutical technology, jadavpur university, kolkata, india. It has many traditional uses all over the world and is wellknown as a digestive and carminative. The pollination of the acorus species is not known, but entomophily is likely because the pollen is sticky. All reports are erowid and you agree not to download or analyze the report data. Neuromodulatory effect of acrous calamus leaves extract on dopaminergic system in mice vengadeshprabu ka, george ta, vinothkumar ra, nancy ja, kalaivani ma, vijayapandi pb, akmch college of pharmacy, kalapatty road, coimbatore641 048,tamil nadu, india. Araceae, commonly known as sweet flag or calamus, is a semiaquatic, perennial, aromatic herb with creeping rhizomes. Acorus calamus, commonly known as sweet flag, is a seasoning and herb traditionally used in ayurveda and traditional chinese medicine for its cognitiveenhancing properties.
It originated in europe but extensively used in ayurveda, particularly to enhance memory. Health benefits of acorus calamus essential oil hb times. Acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant, in which the scented leaves and rhizomes have been traditionally used medicinally against different ailments like. Acorus calamus l medicinal uses medicinal plants archive. A categorized index of firstperson experiences with calamus. Acorus calamus also known as sweet flag is a perennial wetland monocot. Scientific validation of ayurvedic tradition from natural resources pulok kumar mukherjee1,2, venkatesan kumar1, mainak mal1, and peter j. Learn more about calamus uses, effectiveness, possible side effects, interactions, dosage, user ratings and products that contain calamus. Pieces of rhizomes are easily dispersed by water along rivers and creeks. This essential oil effectively provides relief from pain, like chronic back. Antioxidant and antibacterial activity of acorus calamus. However, the betaisoasarone content can vary widely among species from 0% to 96%. An advantage to obtaining the whole root of this plant is that when aromatic herbs are powdered, the volatile oils. Preclinical studies suggested that acorus calamus supplementation had potential for treating neuropathic pain.
Its aroma makes calamus essential oil valued in the perfume industry. The traditional use of acorus calamus in indian ayurvedic system is widely accepted. When used in aromatherapy, calamus root oil creates a tranquilizing effect and the person using it feels a sedative effect. Due to its aroma, calamus is also used to make essential oil. The calamus essential oil is much valued in the perfume industry. Acorus calamus sweet flag calamus pfaf plant database. Acorus calamus is known for its sweet scent and can be incorporated into topical uses and cosmetic products. In present study, the root essential oil composition of a. Undiluted calamus oil was not irritating to the skin of mice, guinea pigs, rabbits or pigs.
Experimental evidence for use of acorus calamus asarone. May 10, 2016 calamus acorus calamus is a tall green monocot of flowering grass. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile of acorus calamus linn. The aim of the present article is different uses of acorus calamus in cns disorders. In spite of common names that include the words rush and sedge, it is neither a rush nor sedge.
Calamus has a certain sweetness as well as a sour quality and a heat like ginger or cinnamon. Calamus is an aromatic marsh herb used in some liqueurs, as well as scented beauty products and potpourri. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological. The americanus variety is the only one that is known to have a historical use as an entheogen. In the vedic periods it was used as a rejuvenator of the brain and nervous system.
1190 497 978 361 727 1190 1303 1408 918 486 192 74 43 1574 1007 324 118 1020 906 1204 1256 1585 556 273 211 398 624 622 1091 1070 316 1137 1347 101 905 48 1329 811 14 542 459 717