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Sweet flag, or calamus has been used since ancient times for its effects on the digestive system and the lungs. This herb eliminates phlegm and tranquilizes the mind, and has been used to treat amnesia, heart palpitations, insomnia, tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, and bronchial asthma.
The root oil is strong and fragrant, its taste warm, bitterish, pungent and aromatic. Its active principles are taken up by boiling water. It is a thick, pale yellow liquid, and has a high toxicity(see cautions)
In Europe it is used as a digestive aid, helping to counter acidity and ease heartburn and dyspepsia. The root was also chewed to help toothache and to help stop smoking. Acorus can blunt gastric upset during the acute phase of drug withdrawal.
Acorus is an antioxidant that has special effects on the central nervous system and used to treat a broad range of brain conditions, including stroke.
Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002) Phyllis A. Balch
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| Side Effects: |
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| The essential oil of calamus contains aserone, which has a high toxicity, The FDA has issued warnings about the marketing of Aserone contained in Calamus extract as a "Legal Ecstasy", and does not permit the use of calamus in food products. Varieties of calamus traded in the United States (and all the varieties of calamus permitted for import by HealthCanada) are most effective when used externally. Do not use this herb internally at all, or only under the supervision of a qualified expert.
Mountain Rose HerbsIn high doses, it is hallucinogenic. However the rhizome used from Europe have a low concentration of aserone compared to those from India and no cases of malignancy have been reported. Mabey, Richard ,28 |
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Preparation Methods :Traditionally taken as a tea, however internal use is not recommended for the casual user. Calamus may be used as a bath additive, or as an alcohol rub for sore muscles and circulation.
 Remedies using : Calamus
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Acorus for :Drug withdrawal |
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Acorus affects the brain during, withdrawal from cocaine, heroin, and morphine. During the first one to ten days of withdrawal, addicts experience intense drug cravings, nausea, and vomiting. Acorus can blunt gastric upset during the acute phase of drug withdrawal (although it has no effect on the cravings them-selves) through its ability to prevent the secretion of the inflammatory chemical histamine. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002) |
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Calamus for :Digestion, heartburn |
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Sweet flag, or calamus has been used since ancient times for its effects on the digestive system and the lungs. In Europe it is used as a digestive aid, helping to counter acidity and ease heartburn and dyspepsia. The root was also chewed to help toothache and to help stop smoking. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988) |
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Buy Bulk Calamus Herbs, Extracts, Capsules and Oils
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illustration from an 1885 flora
- Flowers:Spike
- Leaves:Average of 1 cm. The sympodial leaf of Acorus calamus is somewhat shorter than the vegetative leaves. The margin is curly-edged or undulate. The leaves are fragarent, and were used as a strewing herb. Botonists distinguise beetween the Acorus species by the number of prominent leaf veins. Acorus calamus has a single prominent midvein and then on both sides slightly raised secondary veins (with a diameter less than half the midvein) and many, fine tertiary veins. This makes it clearly distinct from Acorus americanus.
- Root: Aromatic, spicy, part used medicinaly
- Preferred Habitat:Wetlands
- Distribution:Probably indigenous to India, Acorus calamus is now found across Europe, in southern Russia, northern Asia Minor, southern Siberia, China, Japan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Australia, southern Canada and northern USA.
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In TCM sweet flag is used to treat deafness, dizziness and epilepsy. It is used by the Akha people of Thailand for stomachache. The Chinese use it for vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dysentery.
Mabey, Richard ,28 |
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 Sweet Flag was brought to Europe by the Tartars in the thirteenth century, and is one of the herbs mentioned in the book of Exodus.
Mabey, Richard ,28
The name 'acorus' is derived from the Greek word 'acoron', a name used by Dioscorides, which in turn was derived from 'coreon', meaning 'pupil', because it was used in herbal medicine as a treatment for inflammation of the eye.
(Grieve, M.,767) |
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Medicinal Healing Herbs : Properties and Uses
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Common Misspellings:
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Buy organic bulk herbs, spices, oils and teas at Mountain Rose Herbs |
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Buy Bulk Calamus 
