Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• α-amophene, α-asarone, α-cadinol, α-cedrene, α-copaene, α-E-bergamotene, α-funebrene, α-humulene, α-muurolene, α-neocallitropsene, α-phellandrene, α-pinene, α-selinene, α-terpineol, α-thujene, Acoraceae (family), acorenone, Acori graminei rhizoma, acorone, Acorus calamus L., Acorus calamus L. essential oils, Acorus calamus Linn. var. angustatus Bess, Acorus calamus var. angustatus Bess, Acorus gramineus Sol. ex Aiton, Acorus gramineus Soland, Acorus tatarinowii, Acorus tatarinowii Schott, alkaloids, allo-aromadendr-9-ene, ar-curcumene, Araceae (family), aromatic calamus, asarone, β-acoradiene, β-asarone, β-cedrene, β-copaene, β-curcumene, β-elemene, β-funebrene, β-pinene, β-selinene, β-sesquiphellandrene, bach, benzoic acid phenylmethyl ester, benzyl benzoate, bicyclogermacrene, bornyl acetate, calamendiol, calamenone, Calamus aromaticus, calamus rhizome, calarene, camphene, camphor, caryophyllene, cedrol, changpo, changpo oil, cinnamon sedge, dehydroxy-isocalamendiol, dihydrocarveyl acetate, E-β-ocimene, E-nerolidol, ethyl hexadecanoate, flagroot, flavonoids, γ-amorphene, γ-elemene, γ-guaiene, γ-sitosterol, γ-terpinene, germacrene A, gladdon, grass myrtle, gums, iso-acorone, iso-shyobunone, isoacoramone, isocalamendiol, kamseh-chang, khusiol, lectins, limonene, linalool, lin-ne, methyl linoleate, mucilage, myrcene, myrtle flag, myrtle sedge, n-butylidene dihydrophthalide, n-hexadecanoic acid, nonanyl acetate, octanoic acid, ρ-cymene, phenols, phenylpropanes, preiso calamendiol, prezizaene, quinone, rat root, rattan palm, Romanian Acorus calamus L., sabinene, saponins, shi chang pu, shuichangpu, squamulosone, sugars, sweet calamus, sweet cane, sweet flag, sweet grass, sweet myrtle, sweet root, sweet rush, sweet sedge, sweetflag, sweetflag oil, τ-cadinol, tannins, terpinene-4-ol, terpinolene, torilenol, triterpenes, ugragandha, vacha, vaj, vekhand, Z-β-farnesene, Z-β-ocimene, Z-isoeugenol.

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Acorus calamus L. (family Araceae/Acoraceae) has long, narrow leaves and an aromatic rootstock. It is similar to the iris in appearance and can be found in moist habitats such as the banks of ponds or streams and swamps in North America, Europe, and Asia. Traditional medicine includes use of the rhizome, and the herb's main traditional uses include therapy for colic, dyspepsia, and flatulence (1). In Ayurveda there is major use of calamus for diseases of the kidney and liver, eczema, rheumatism, and enhancement of memory. Currently, traditional uses lack substantiation in the available medical literature. Vomiting was the primary toxicity reported following use of the root for assumed production of euphoria.

Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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