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
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.
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.