ACORUS CALAMUS [Sweet Flag]
Hindi: Bachi, Telugu:
Wasa, Malayalam: Vayambu, Kannada : Bej.
A popular domestic
remedy is Acorus calamus [vasambu in Tamil]
Of late such instant
herbal medicines are losing popularity with a greater
patronage for
allopathic methods. Still, those familiar with the ways of using
the rhizome [root-like
part] prefer the plant for its ‘easy-to-use’ convenience
without a prescription from a doctor. A variety of uses are suggested for
A.calamus.
The plant grows as a
bush with slender stem and a number of green narrow
leaves. The typical aroma of calamus is from the essential
oils in leaves and
rhizome. These include
beta-asarone [in a high ratio neare 60%],
methyl isoeugenol [near
40%]
Others include alpha
asarone, lectins, saponins, lignans , sesquiterpenoids
and steroids.
However,
the chemical content depends on the species, geographic distribution, the
age and part of the plant used.
The
extract from rhizome is used for flavour in food stuff, alcoholic beverages
etc. In southern India, the rhizome segments are either charred or gently
rubbed over rough surface to make a fine powder and applied to tongues of
infants with digestive disorders.
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