Plant Description:
Acorus calamus L. is a perennial & rhizomatous herb growing on marshy places. Leaves are bright green, 15 – 25 cm long and 0.2 – 0.5 cm broad, uniform with a distinct midrib. Flowers are small, yellow-green arranged in cylindrical spandex. The aromatic rhizome (underground stem) of Acorus calamus L. is commonly referred to as calamus or sweet flag, Bhojo in Nepali.
Calamus has been taken over the centuries as a remedy for various sorts of digestive upsets and colic, especially in children. They are harvested in late autumn or early spring and are dried for later use. The dry root loses 70% of its weight but has an improved smell and taste.
Product Description:
Acorus calamus L. is a semi-aquatic, perennial, aromatic herb with creeping rhizomes. Calamus oil is a wild-crafted essential oil extracted from the dried comminuted rhizomes and roots of Acorus calamus L. It is a beautiful gift of the Himalayas. It is generally found in moist habitats such as the banks of ponds or streams and swamps throughout Nepal. Its oil possesses anti-spasmodic and carminative properties. The oil is used to treat stomach ailments and mental debility.
Chemical Constituents:
The major component of the essential oil are α-thujone; other components are α-pinene, β-pinene, β-fenchene, α-fenchene, β-thujone, 1, 8-cineol, camphor, iso-borneol, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, davanone, p-cymene, germacrene D, δ-cadinene, limonene, and camphene.
Medicinal Use:
The rhizomes of calamus are considered to possess anti-spasmodic, carminative and anthelmintic properties. They are used for the treatment of a host of diseases such as epilepsy and other mental ailments, chronic diarrhea, dysentery, bronchial catarrh, intermittent fevers, glandular and abdominal tumors. They are also used to treat kidney and liver troubles, rheumatism, and eczema.
Traditional Use:
Merely chewing the root is enough to kill the taste for tobacco. For ease of consumption, roots of 2 – 3 years old are used since older roots tend to become stable and hollow.
Cosmetic Uses:
Calamus oil is one of the favorites in perfumery. The earthy and woody essence adds a flavor of choice in spice, as well as in alcoholic beverages.
