Full Answer
Is Calamus a perennial plant?
Calamus is a perennial that is found in damp, swampy areas. It has sword-shaped leaves and grows to 6 feet tall. It is similar in appearance to the iris. It is found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia, 2 and is often imported from India and the former Yugoslavia and USSR. 3.
What is calamus root used for?
Overview Information. Calamus is a plant. The root (rhizome) is used to make medicine. Despite safety concerns, calamus is commonly used by mouth for different stomach problems, including ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), diarrhea, intestinal gas (flatulence), upset stomach, and many more.
What does Calamus look like?
Calamus is a semi-evergreen, perennial, hairless herb found in damp, swampy areas. It has bright-green sword-shaped leaves with a waxy margin that thicken in the middle. The plant is similar in appearance to the iris and grows to approximately 2 meters tall, with hermaphroditic flowers that are pollinated by insects.
What is acerus Calamus?
Calamus (Acorus calamus var. angustatus) essential oil comes from an aquatic plant. It grows to a meter high, is reed-like in appearance, flourishes in the mud around streams and lakes, and is in the Araceae family of plants.
What does the calamus do?
It is thought that chemicals in calamus cause muscle relaxation and sleepiness. These chemicals might also reduce swelling, kill cancer cells, and kill insects.
What does calamus smell like?
It is also part of Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese, and Native American practices. Calamus root has a unique scent of wet cake dough, with a woody leathery/suede effect.
What is Calamus oil good for?
Calamus Oil is commonly used by mouth for different stomach problems, including ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), diarrhea, intestinal gas (flatulence), upset stomach, and many more. This may be of immense help to such people that suffer from insomnia or sleeplessness problems.
What does calamus look like?
The leaves are similar to Cattail or Iris leaves, being sword shaped, and from 2 1/2 to 3 feet in length. Calamus leaves, though, are a yellow-green in color, not blue-green, and have a slightly wavy margin (edge) and a midrib. Easily, the most effective way to identify the plant is to break off and smell the leaves.
What is another name for calamus?
In addition to "sweet flag" and "calamus" other common names include beewort, bitter pepper root, calamus root, flag root, gladdon, myrtle flag, myrtle grass, myrtle root, myrtle sedge, pine root, sea sedge, sweet cane, sweet cinnamon, sweet grass, sweet myrtle, sweet root, sweet rush, and sweet sedge.
What is sweet cane in the Bible?
Exodus 3: 2325, Song of Solomon 4:14, Isaiah 43: 24, Jeremiah 6:2, and Ezekiel 27:19 are the only references to an unusual plant translated as "sweet cane", "calamus", "sweet myrtle" and in other ways indicative of the confusion over which plant is intended.
Can you ingest Calamus oil?
Calamus essential oil is toxic and possibly carcinogenic. This means that it can potentially have tumour-causing effects, narcotic effects and might cause convulsions as well as hallucinations. As such, it should never be ingested.
What is calamus tea?
About this item. Sweet tasting, with flavours similar to a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger - although watch out for the bitter aftertaste. Perfect as a tea, flavouring for food or as bitters. If you don't enjoy the bitter aftertaste of this calamus root tea, you can always mix in a spoonful of honey.
What spice is calamus?
Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) is also known as Calamus, Sweet Rush or Sweet Cinnamon although the roots taste like ginger. Also known as Calamus it has a spicy fragrance to it with the leaves having lemony overtones.
Is calamus banned?
Calamus has been banned by the FDA as a food additive and within the last few years many herbal shops have stopped recommending or dispensing it. The presence of β-asarone in flavourings and other food ingredients with flavouring properties have been reviewed by the Scientific Committee on Food.
Where is calamus found?
Acorus calamus - L.Common NameSweet Flag - CalamusHabitatsFound in moist soils and shallow water in ditches, marshes, river edges and ponds[1, 100, 187, 244].RangeEurope, Asia and N. America. Naturalized in Britain[17].Edibility Rating(3 of 5)Other Uses(4 of 5)6 more rows
What is the root of a calamus?
Calamus is a plant. The root (rhizome) is used to make medicine.
Why do people chew calamus?
Some people chew calamus to remove the smell of tobacco, as a stimulant, to increase their sense of well-being, and as a hallucinogen. Some people apply calamus directly to the skin to treat certain skin diseases. In foods, calamus is used as a spice.
Does calamus affect Alzheimer's?
Calamus might increase certain chemicals in the brain, heart, and elsewhere in the body. Some medications for Alzheimer's disease also affect these chemicals. Taking calamus along with medications for Alzheimer's disease might increase effects and side effects of medications used for Alzheimer's disease. Medications for depression (MAOIs) ...
Does calamus increase?
Calamus might increase levels of certain chemical in the body that work in the brain, heart, and elsewhere . Some drying medications called "anticholinergic drugs" can also increase these chemicals, but in a different way. These drying medications might decrease the effects of calamus, and calamus might decrease the effects of drying medications.
Does calamus lower blood pressure?
Low blood pressure: Calamus might lower blood pressure. In theory, taking calamus might make blood pressure become too low in people with low blood pressure. Surgery: Calamus can affect the central nervous system. It might cause too much sleepiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery.
Is Calamus safe for breast feeding?
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Calamus is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Is Calamus safe to take by mouth?
Calamus is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. It can cause kidney damage, shaking, and seizures.
What is a calamus?
Calamus is a semi-evergreen, perennial, hairless herb found in damp, swampy areas. It has bright-green sword-shaped leaves with a waxy margin that thicken in the middle. The plant is similar in appearance to the iris and grows to approximately 2 meters tall, with hermaphroditic flowers that are pollinated by insects.
What is the oil content of calamus?
The European triploid plant is different chemotype of calamus, with oil containing less than 10% asarone. Indian tetraploid varieties, however, have been found to contain oils that are composed of 96% asarone or less. 6.
Why is calamus not being used in clinical trials?
However, because of toxicity and lack of clinical trials , no recommendations for use can be made. Use of calamus and its extracts is prohibited in the US.
What is the chemical composition of a plant?
The chemical composition of the plant varies according to geographic location, plant age, climate, species variety, and plant part used. 3, 10 The diploid plant grows in North America and is beta-asarone free. The European triploid plant is different chemotype of calamus, with oil containing less than 10% asarone. Indian tetraploid varieties, however, have been found to contain oils that are composed of 96% asarone or less. 6
How long did Calamus cause nausea?
calamus abuse from 2003 through 2006 that involved nausea and prolonged vomiting (up to 15 hours ) as well as tachycardia. 4 Acute toxicity tests in mice showed piloerection, decreased mobility, increasing respiratory distress, unconsciousness, and death. Long-term toxicity studies report the development of tumors and thrombosis in rat heart chambers. The median lethal dose in mice was reported to be 417 mg/kg (oral) to 900 mg/kg. 14
Where is creeping rhizome native?
The creeping rhizome is pale yellow to pinkish brown on the outside and white to pinkish on the inside. It is native to much of Asia and is also found throughout North America and eastern Europe. 1, 2, 3 Synonyms include A. calamus L. var. americanus (Raf.) H.D. Wulff. and Acorus americanus (Raf.) Raf.
What is ground rhizome used for?
The ground rhizome is used as a spice and commercial flavoring in drinks, cosmetics, and toothpastes.
What is Calamus?
Calamus (also known as sweet flag, bitter pepper root, Rat root, sweet cane, myrtle grass, and sweet sedge) is a perennial herb with tall, hard, and sharp leaves, as well as a knobby rhizome that is often used in herbal medicines. Scientifically known as Acorus calamus [1] the stems, leaves, and roots of this herb have been used in both Chinese and Indian traditional medicine practices. But the plant and its derivative products have been prohibited in certain countries, including the United States, for concerns over its carcinogenic effects. However, in small and regulated doses, the risks are few, while the benefits are notable.
What are the benefits of calamus?
The most impressive benefits of calamus include curing psychological disorders, relieving inflammation, stimulating circulation, and treating headaches, among others .
Why is Acorus Calamus banned?
But the plant and its derivative products have been prohibited in certain countries, including the United States, for concerns over its carcinogenic effects.
Does calamus tea help with depression?
The effects that this herb can have on the nervous system are well known and proven, so for those who do suffer from psychological disorders or depression, drinking calamus tea from the rhizome (root) can be very helpful. [2]
Does Calamus help with weight loss?
By speeding up the metabolism, calamus can aid in weight loss efforts, as well as the healing process within the body following injury or illness. [6]
Does Calamus have any side effects?
Side Effects of Calamus. There are some potential side effects to using this herb, particularly in large quantities, such as the following: Most of these side effects were found when concentrated and isolated chemicals from the plant, such as β-asarone, were administered in test animals.
Is Calamus a natural remedy?
✓ Evidence Based. Using various parts of the calamus plant for medicinal purposes is a common natural remedy, but understanding its risks and effects is important before using this herbal treatment.
Where did the lemon grass come from?
It was not a native of Palestine, but was imported from Arabia Felix or from India. It was probably that which is now known in India by the name of "lemon grass" or "ginger grass," the Andropogon schoenanthus. (See CANE .) These dictionary topics are from.
What is the name of the cane in the Bible?
Calamus. the Latin for cane, Hebrew Kaneh , mentioned ( Exodus 30:23 ) as one of the ingredients in the holy anointing oil, one of the sweet scents (Cant 4:14 ), and among the articles sold in the markets of Tyre ( Ezekiel 27:19 ).
What is the name of the plant that grows in wetlands?
Two plants have been suggested. The first is a widespread plant of wetlands in the northern hemispheres of both the Old and New Worlds, Acorus calamus L . (Araceae). The rhizome has a peculiar sweet, lingering aroma suitable as a "carrier" in a perfume.
Is Acorus Calamu s used in perfumery?
Acorus calamu s is not listed in a modern treatment of perfumery (Calkin and Jellinek 1994) but is still used in medicine and cosmetics (Leung and Foster 1996). The second candidate is lemon grass.
How long has Calamus been around?
It is estimated that calamus has been used for around 4,000 years in a variety of ways. The healing properties of the plant are attributed to its volatile oils.
Where does Calamus oil come from?
Calamus (Acorus calamus var. angustatus) essential oil comes from an aquatic plant. It grows to a meter high, is reed-like in appearance, flourishes in the mud around streams and lakes, and is in the Araceae family of plants.
What is the color of calamus oil?
Calamus oil is thick and has a yellow hue. Poor quality oil will have a more camphorous note.
What does Calamus smell like?
The whole plant is aromatic and features small yellowish-green flowers and sword-like leaves. Calamus essential oil smells like warm, spicy wood. It is a carcinogen and should not be used in aromatherapy. Origins.
Which countries produce calamus oil?
Poland and Yugoslavia produce calamus oil with a scent considered to be more uniform and long-lasting. Another plant, the yellow flag iris, resembles calamus. However,the two are botanically unrelated.
Does calamus oil hurt your heart?
On WebMD, there is a long list of side effects from the plant and its oils: [5] Calamus may worsen heart conditions.
Is Calamus oil still used?
Calamus essential oil has been used as a flavoring for the food and beverage industry for beer, tonics, tooth powders, and more. It is still utilized in some parts of the world. However, the plant, root, extracts, and oil are all banned from use in the United States. [3]
Clinical Overview
Botany
- Calamus is a semi-evergreen, perennial, hairless herb found in damp, swampy areas. It has bright-green sword-shaped leaves with a waxy margin that thicken in the middle. The plant is similar in appearance to the iris and grows to approximately 2 meters tall, with hermaphroditic flowers that are pollinated by insects. The creeping rhizome is pale ye...
History
- The fragrant underground portion (the rhizome) has been used medicinally since biblical times. Popular European books on medicinal plants touted calamus as a "wonder drug." However, because of an association between asarones and the development of tumors in animals, the use of calamus and its extracts is prohibited in the US. Maximum limits for beta-asarone content in f…
Chemistry
- Calamus leaves and rhizomes contain 1.5% to 3.5% of a volatile oil responsible for the plant's characteristic odor and taste. From some types of calamus, a major component of the oil (up to 75%) is beta-asarone. Alpha-asarone has also been identified and exists in both the cis- and trans-isomer forms.6 More than a dozen additional compounds have been identified in the oil and extr…
Dosing
- Use of calamus and its extracts is prohibited in the US. Clinical studies that provide information on therapeutic dosages are lacking. Storage of the root leads to a loss in potency.
Interactions
- Case reports are lacking. Potentiation of calcium channel blockers (eg, amlodipine) and medicines used in epilepsy is possible based on studies in rodents.44, 52 Alpha-asarone and A. calamus extracts may also interfere with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system.53
Adverse Reactions
- Clinical studies are lacking. (See Toxicology). Cardiovascular effects, such as hypotension, are possible based on animal studies.
Toxicology
- The Swedish Poisons Information Centre reported 30 cases of acute intoxication related to A. calamus abuse from 2003 through 2006 that involved nausea and prolonged vomiting (up to 15 hours) as well as tachycardia.4 Acute toxicity tests in mice showed piloerection, decreased mobility, increasing respiratory distress, unconsciousness, and death. Long-term toxicity studie…
Index Terms
- Acorus americanus(Raf.) Raf
- Araceae calamusL. var. americanus (Raf.) H.D. Wulff
Disclaimer
- This information relates to an herbal, vitamin, mineral or other dietary supplement. This product has not been reviewed by the FDA to determine whether it is safe or effective and is not subject to the quality standards and safety information collection standards that are applicable to most prescription drugs. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this pro…