Acorus calamus L. Sweet Flag, Sweet Sedge
Family: Araceae
Description: “Semi-evergreen rhizomatous perennial, with lanceolate leaves, and a tangerine scent. A solitary spadix, with yellow-green flowers, appears in summer. H 30-150cm, S indefinite. Fully hardy.” (Bown, 1995: 73)
Habitat: Riverbanks and marshy places; native to N and E Asia and N America, naturalised in Europe.
Harvest: “Plants are lifted at any time, except during flowering. The required amount of rhizome is cut and the remainder replanted.” (Bown, 1995: 228)
Part used: Rhizome
Dosage: 1:5 Tincture: 0.5-2ml tds, Fluid Extract: 0.5ml tds, Dried: 1-2g tds (AD)
Actions:
-AROMATIC BITTER,
-SPASMOLYTIC,
-CARMINATIVE,
-anti-arrhythmic (regulates heartbeat),
-hypotensive,
-vasodilatory,
-anti-tussive (relieves cough),
-antibacterial,
-expectorant (Wren,1988)
Organ system: Digestive
Indications:
-Gastro-intestinal complaints, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, peptic ulcers
Safety: Some concern over beta-asarone in volatile oil.
Contra-indications: None found
Key Constituents:
-Volatile oil [2-8% -GT], up to 96% beta-asarone (Wren, 1988)
-Bitter principles, incl. sesquiterpenes
-Mucilage; tannins; resin (GT)
Pharmacology: Studies in China have shown anti-arrhythmic, hypotensive, vasodilatory, anti-tussive, antibacterial and expectorant activity (Wren, 1988)
Toxicology: Isolated beta-asarone found to be carcinogenic in animals- preparations containing it banned in US. Not found in American variety which may be superior in spasmolytic activity. (Wren, 1988)
History: Specific name derived from Greek calamos for “a reed”. Traditional strewing herb, especially for church floors (one of charges of extravagance against Cardinal Wolsey); gathered at annual “gladdon harvest.” Crystallised tender slices of rhizome were popular in 18th century as medicinal lozenges for coughs, indigestion and against contagion. (Bown, 1995) Though no longer in official British Pharmacopoeia, still widely used, may be as proven itself worthy throughout history.
Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“The spicy bitterness…bespeaks it as a strengthener of the stomach and head and therefore may fitly be put into any composition of that intention.” Culpeper (Grieve, 1985: 729)
