Chinese medicine in traditional chinese medicine, sweet flag has been used for deafness, seizures and vertigo. There has been much hue and cry about the toxicity of a. The odor is aromatic and agreeable, and taste pungent and bitter. Parts used the parts used in most of the experimental studies are the leaves, roots and stem of the plant. It is a perennial, semiaquatic and smelly plant, found in both temperate and sub temperate zones. Acoraceae, which although not indicated for adlike symptoms in the pharmacopeia of the peoples republic of china cpc, 2010, is one of the most frequently reported ingredients of classical chm formulas for memory impairment associated with aging may et al. The record derives from wcsp data supplied on 20120323 which reports it as an accepted name record 2304 with original publication details. Acorus calamus definition of acorus calamus by medical. However, the betaisoasarone content can vary widely among species from 0% to 96%. Acorus calamus, aka sweet flag the rumor persists that this is an interesting plant, and it is.
Acorus calamus is unfit for human consumption because of its. Acorus calamus is now found across europe, in southern. It also has effective acetylcholinesterase inhibitory, antispasmo. This page was last edited on 22 november 2014, at 06. Acorus calamus also known as sweet flag is a perennial wetland monocot. Acorus calamus root and oil health benefits, uses, effects.
Calamus root acorus calamus calamus is an herb that thrives in semiaquatic environments and in a terrain of mud and sludge found along the shallow banks of lakes and ponds similar to the muddled state of mind that it apparently is well known for treating. Acorus calamus has been found to contain an alkaloid that may be carcinogenic. Dioscorides, the classic greek practitioner of medicine used the smoke of the plant breathed through a funnel as a treatment for the cough. An illustrated flora of the northern united states, canada and the british possessions. Acorus calamus leaves, rhizomes and its essential oil has many biological activities like antispasmodic, carminative and also used for treatment of epilepsy, mental ailments, chronic. Acorus calamus l medicinal uses medicinal plants archive. Food and drug administration reported that the use of sweet flag was unsafe, based upon cancerous tumors found in laboratory animals treated with. The acorus calamus oil may cause some health problems if used in its undiluted form. Some studies also suggest that the herb has ability to treat neuropathic pain. Analgesic and cytotoxic activity of acorus calamus l. It is indeed interesting to see that ayurvedic texts like the cakradatta have recommended the purification of calamus root before use tripathi, 1991. Its root rhizome is used in ayurvedic medicine for improving memory, cognition, intelligence, voice, and other mental abilities. Sweet flag, calamus, acorus gramineus plant delights nursery.
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 commercial. Protective effects of acorus calamus on free radical scavengers and lipid peroxidation in discrete regions of brain against noise stress exposed rat manikandan et al. Acorus calamus article about acorus calamus by the free. Protective effect of acorus calamus linn on free radical scavengers.
The leaves of acorus calamus are fragrant, the smell can be a means of recognizing it. One ounce of this decoction is given to adults thrice a day and add one teaspoon full of sugar in case of children, twice or thrice a day. Acorus calamus is used in the conditions of vata and kapha, dysmenorrheal, nephropathy, calculi, stragury. An overview on various properties and pharmacological studies. It is distantly related to cattails, and the root is what most people are refering too. Acorus calamus is poisonous under certain conditions, causing disturbed digestion, gastroenteritis, persistent constipation, followed by diarrhea and passage of blood into the feces in 1968 the u. Acorus calamus sweet flag calamus pfaf plant database. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page.
Rhizomes are collected by women and children during late november to february. 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. 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. The dry rhizome contains some of the yellow aromatic oil 1, calamus oil that are responsible for their medicinal and insecticidal properties 4. Calamus is a greatly valued herb in ayurveda, as its stimulating aroma rejuvenates the brain and the nervous system. The leaves are strongly scented rhizomes and have been traditionally used since centuries. Acorus calamus has many wide varieties which were used in different studies possesses antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, antiprotective and antihepatotoxic activities. Also known as sweet flag, it is a highly aromatic herb that supports the proper function of.
This is a decoction used for theailments of urinary stones. The use of traditional medicine in both developing and. It has many traditional uses all over the world and is wellknown as a digestive and carminative. Dec 29, 2015 acorus calamus medicinal uses and pictures. Marketed formulations of sweet flag acorus calamus plant 3. Calamus powder, or vacha, is effective for skin exfoliation and commonly used externally during panchakarma or after abhyanga selfoil massage to remove oil.
Pdf acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant, in which the. North temperate and subtropical regions up to 2200m altitudes in himalayas description calamus is found all over the world. Haimavati, vacha, and various rushes and sedges,is a plant from the acoraceae family, in the genus acorus. It is creeping and branched with cylindrical rhizome. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile. Acorus calamus perennial marsh plant having swordlike leaves and aromatic roots flagroot, myrtle flag, sweet calamus, sweet flag, calamus acorus. The genus acorus has three species, the deciduous acorus americanus, acorus calamus and the evergreen acorus gramineus. It is in flower from may to july, and the seeds ripen from july to august. Antimicrobial activities of the crude methanol extract acorus. Its aroma makes calamus essential oil valued in the perfume industry.
The benefits and side effects of calamus acorus calamus. 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, and cough and mainly for digestive problems such as gas, bloating, colic, and poor digestive function. Sweet flag is best used as an accent plant in moist woodland gardens or as a bog plant. Among the many, they would eat the roots in 1inch sections as a general tonic and in 2inch sections when on hunts. Acorus calamus is considered in this treatment as a variable species, and infraspecific taxa are not recognized because there is an. Acorus calamus overdose other psychoactives welcome to. Most pharmacological activities of acorus calamus was reported by using roots and rhizomes. It is well known for its bitter taste, spiciness and its aromatic smell. The basic mechanism behind the plant revolves around the interaction of the gabaa receptors.
Internally the rootstock is whitish and of a spongy texture. Acorus calamus supplement health benefits, dosage, side. Acorus calamus is widely used in the pharmaceutical as well as on biotechnological scale because it has great potency and defense system. Some studies have used an ethyl acetate extraction of acorus calamus, which is supposed to be free of. The aim of the study was to evaluate analgesic and cytotoxic activity of acorus calamus l. Antimicrobial activities of the crude methanol extract. Roots and rhizomes extracts ofacorus calamus linn possess cns depressant, tranquilizing, inhibiting the spontaneous motor activity11. Rhizomes of acorus calamus information regarding the chemical constituents and ethnomedicinal uses of acorus calamus, thus will help to the researchers and scientists to take action for future study in this displine. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological. Acorus calamus is a semiaquatic plant that likes to grow with wet feet, often alongside irises, cattails, and other water weeds. Pharmacological properties and ayurvedic value of indian buch. Acorus calamus perennial marsh plant having swordlike leaves and aromatic roots flagroot, myrtle. It however doesnt bless everyone with its interesting properties. Jul 18, 2016 the plant is known as bach, calamus oil, golomi, sweet flag, ugragandha, vacha, and vekhanda but is different than acorus gramineus, which is known as japanese or dwarf sweet flag.
In studies with isolated guinea pig trachea and atria, a crude extract of a. It is a tall perennial wetland monocot with scented leaves and more strongly scented rhizomes, which have been used medicinally, for its odor, and as an allegedly psychotropic drug. Neuromodulatory effect of acrous calamus leaves extract on. Indian acorus oil had shown sedativetranquillizing action in rats, mice, cats, dogs and monkeys10. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile of acorus calamus linn. An advantage to obtaining the whole root of this plant is that when aromatic herbs are powdered, the volatile oils.
Acorus calamus synonyms, acorus calamus pronunciation, acorus calamus translation, english dictionary definition of acorus calamus. 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. Acorus calamus, commonly known as sweet flag or calamus sanskrit. Three important chemical constituents of acorus calamus 6. Feb 15, 2014 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. The use of traditional medicine in both developing and developed. Although native to europe, it was introduced into north america by settlers in the 1600s, and has naturalized over time. Acorus calamus is a perennial growing to 1 m 3ft 3in by 1 m 3ft 3in at a medium rate. Uses, side effects, interactions, dosage, and warning.
Acorus gramineus japanese calamus is said to contain a ton of betaasarone, more than the others, so it should be the most carcinogenic, and many say its very weak compared. Also known as sweet flag, it is a highly aromatic herb that supports the proper function of the lymphatic system and enlivens the skin. Acori calami rhizoma is the dried rhizome of acorus calamus l. 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. Acorus calamus definition of acorus calamus by the free. Acorus calamus is an herb that is used in ancient ayurvedic and chinese medicine and is known to enhance the cognitive abilities of a human being. A perennial herb, the rhizone of which contains mucilage, sesquiterpenes and volatile oils azulene, camphor, cineole, eugenol, pinene and others. If calamus is an ally for you, you will know it by now. Pharmacological properties and ayurvedic value of indian. Health benefits of acorus calamus essential oil hb times. The acorus calamus has a number of health benefits that can be attributed to the makeup of the plant. Sweet flag acorus calamus is commonly known drug in traditional. In ayurveda many medicinal plants are described and are widely used by traditional.
The species is hermaphrodite has both male and female organs and is pollinated by insects. An overview on various properties and pharmacological. Acorus calamus was used by the tmp for treatment of asthma. 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. Acorus calamus is a reedlike, aquatic plant with a pungent smell that has been used medicinally since biblical times. Acorus calamus araceae, commonly, known as sweet flag is a. Acorus calamus scientific validation of ayurvedic tradition from. 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. Phytochemicals of acorus calamus sweet flag journal of. Acorus calamus sweet flag is a wetland perennial monocot plant, in which the scented leaves and rhizomes have. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. 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.
The roots, seeds and essential oil of sweet flag are available in stores or online. The rhizomes were utilized extensively by the chinese, indians and american indians as well as by other cultures, and many of these uses continue to this day. Jul 03, 2016 vacha sweet flag acorus calamus vacha also called calamus and sweet flag in english and botanically, acorus calamus is a potent nootropic herb. Calamus is also used as a medicinal herb to treat a. The root of the plant is internally used to treat bronchitis, sinusitis etc.
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