Calamus ~ Acorus calamus

Calamus (aka. Sweet Flag)

Latin name: Acorus calamus

Family: Araceae

Part used: root

Habitat: Russia, China, India, North America, other Northern regions, usually partly immersed in water

Main constituents: volatile oils (asarone, beta-asarone)

Energetics: stimulant, warming

Main herbal actions: increase cognitive function (Ayurvedic) carminative, aromatic stimulant, spasmolytic, antiarrhythmic (European)

Minor herbal actions: decreases stomach acidity, GI tonic, aphrodisiac, hallucinogen (larger quantities)

Main medicinal uses: constipation

Minor medicinal uses: dyspepsia, weak digestion

Preparations: powdered root- 1-2 grams (Khalsa), liquid extract, essential oil; sales of preparations containing beta-asarone are banned in US

Contraindications: MAO inhibitors

Toxicity: adverse reactions are rare and toxicity is low

Sources: http://altnature.com/library/sweetfla.htm, http://www.holoweb.com/cannon/sweetfla.htm, http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/harding/acorus.html, Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations