Calamus (Acorus calamus L.)

Category

Herbs & Supplements

Synonyms

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, Araceae (family), aromatic calamus, asarone, bach, bicyclogermacrene, bornyl acetate, calamendiol, calamenone, Calamus aromaticus, calamus rhizome, calarene, camphene, camphor, caryophyllene, cedrol, changpo, changpo oil, cinnamon sedge, flagroot, flavonoids, germacrene A, gladdon, grass myrtle, gums, kamseh-chang, khusiol, lectins, limonene, linalool, lin-ne, methyl linoleate, mucilage, myrcene, myrtle flag, myrtle sedge, phenols, prezizaene, quinone, rat root, rattan palm, Romanian Acorus calamus L., sabinene, saponins, shi chang pu, shuichangpu, squamulosone, sweet calamus, sweet cane, sweet flag, sweet grass, sweet myrtle, sweet root, sweet rush, sweet sedge, sweetflag, sweetflag oil, tannins, terpinolene, torilenol, triterpenes, ugragandha, vacha, vaj, vekhand.

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 (upset stomach), and flatulence (gas). 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.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Tradition

WARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Anti-aging, antibacterial, anticonvulsive, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, anxiety (neurosis), aphrodisiac, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), blood flow disorders (ischemia), brighten dreams, bronchitis, cancer, cognitive improvement (old age), colic, convulsions, cough, depression, depression (melancholia), diabetes, diarrhea, digestive, drug addiction (nicotine), epilepsy, fever (remittent), flavoring (tea), general health maintenance, gout (foot inflammation), heavy metal/lead toxicity (nickel), hemorrhoids, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), hysteria, immunomodulation, indigestion, inflammation, inflammation (alveolitis), insect repellant, insecticide, insomnia, learning, memory improvement (old age), memory loss, mental disorders, myiasis (infestation of tissue by fly larvae), neural protective, neuropathy (numbness), sedation, sedative, skin diseases, sleep aid, spasmolytic (for spasms), stress reduction, systemic sclerosis (chronic disease characterized by excessive deposits of collagen), tranquilizer, tuberculosis (bacterial infection of the lungs), tumors, ulcer, vitality problems.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for calamus.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is no proven safe or effective dose for calamus in children.

Safety

DISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Allergies

Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to calamus.

Side Effects and Warnings

Calamus may cause stomach upset. Use cautiously for relief of stomach complaints in children.

Skin rash may occur with the oil.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Calamus is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs

Use cautiously in cancer patients or patients taking antineoplastic agents as the effects of calamus on cancer are controversial.

Calamus may increase constipation from calcium channel blockers.

Calamus may affect heart rhythm and interact with heart medications, such as digoxin. Thus, use cautiously in patients with heart problems or taking heart medications.

Calamus may also interact with immunostimulating agents, hypnotics (i.e. barbiturates), antispasmodic agents, antifungals, antibiotics, amphetamines, cholesterol-lowering agents, anti-inflammatories, anticholinergics, or antioxidant agents. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for interactions.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

Use cautiously in cancer patients or patients taking herbs or supplements with anticancer effects as the effects of calamus on cancer are controversial.

Calamus may affect heart rhythm and interact with herbs and supplements that alter the heart, such as foxglove.

Calamus may also interact with immunostimulating herbs and supplements, hypnotics (i.e. barbiturates), antispasmodic herbs and supplements, antifungals, antibacterials, amphetamines, cholesterol-lowering herbs and supplements, anti-inflammatories, anticholinergics, or antioxidant herbs and supplements. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for interactions.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature, and was peer-reviewed and edited by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com): J. Kathryn Bryan, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Craig Coffenberg, PharmD (University of Rhode Island); Dawn Costa, BA, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Phillip Fong, PharmD (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Nicole Giese, MS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Emily Kyomitmaitee, PharmD (University of Rhode Island); Erica Rusie, PharmD (Nova Southeastern University); Shaina Tanguay-Colucci, BS (Natural Standard Research Collaboration); Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD (Massachusetts General Hospital); Wendy Weissner, BA (Natural Standard Research Collaboration).

Bibliography

DISCLAIMER: 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.

Ahmad I, Aqil F. In vitro efficacy of bioactive extracts of 15 medicinal plants against ESbetaL-producing multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria. Microbiol Res 7-26-2006.

Aqil F, Ahmad I, Owais M. Evaluation of anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity and synergy of some bioactive plant extracts. Biotechnol J 2006;1(10):1093-1102.

Bains JS, Dhuna V, Singh J, et al. Novel lectins from rhizomes of two Acorus species with mitogenic activity and inhibitory potential towards murine cancer cell lines. Int Immunopharmacol 2005;5(9):1470-1478.

Bertea CM, Azzolin CM, Bossi S, et al. Identification of an EcoRI restriction site for a rapid and precise determination of beta-asarone-free Acorus calamus cytotypes. Phytochemistry 2005;66(5):507-514.

Gacche RN, Dhole NA. Antioxidant and Possible Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants Prescribed in the Indian Traditional System of Medicine. Pharmaceutical Biology 2006;44(5):389-395.

Ghosh M. Antifungal properties of haem peroxidase from Acorus calamus. Ann Bot (Lond) 2006;98(6):1145-1153.

Gilani AU, Shah AJ, Ahmad M, et al. Antispasmodic effect of Acorus calamus Linn. is mediated through calcium channel blockade. Phytother Res 2006;20(12):1080-1084.

Hanson KM, Gayton-Ely M, Holland LA, et al. Rapid assessment of beta-asarone content of Acorus calamus by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Electrophoresis 2005;26(4-5):943-946.

Komalamisra N, Trongtokit Y, Rongsriyam Y, et al. Screening for larvicidal activity in some Thai plants against four mosquito vector species. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 2005;36(6):1412-1422.

Liao WP, Chen L, Yi YH, et al. Study of antiepileptic effect of extracts from Acorus tatarinowii Schott. Epilepsia 2005;46 Suppl 1:21-24.

Manikandan S, Srikumar R, Jeya Parthasarathy N, et al. Protective effect of Acorus calamus LINN on free radical scavengers and lipid peroxidation in discrete regions of brain against noise stress exposed rat. Biol Pharm Bull 2005;28(12):2327-2330.

Prasad L, Khan TH, Jahangir T, et al. Acorus calamus extracts and nickel chloride: prevention of oxidative damage and hyperproliferation response in rat kidney. Biol Trace Elem Res 2006;113(1):77-92.

Rau O, Wurglics M, Dingermann T, et al. Screening of herbal extracts for activation of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. Pharmazie 2006;61(11):952-956.

Shukla PK, Khanna VK, Ali MM, et al. Neuroprotective effect of Acorus calamus against middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced ischaemia in rat. Hum Exp Toxicol 2006;25(4):187-194.

Sinha AK, Sharma A, Joshi BP, et al. A mild conversion of phenylpropropnoid into rare phenylbutanoids: (E)-4-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)but-1,3-diene and (E)-4-(2,4,5-trimethozypheny)but-1-ene occuring in Zingiber cassumunar. Nat Prod Res 2005;19(8):771-776.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.