Acoraceae
Sweet Flag Root
Acorus calamus
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: South Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, North America
Also known as: Calamus, Muskrat Root, Sweet Sedge, Bach
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Digestive complaints (flatulence, dyspepsia — Commission E approved), cough (traditional), memory (cholinergic), anxiety. European/North American diploid variety (tetraploid Indian variety has high asarone — avoid).
Herbal Actions
Carminative, antispasmodic, bitter tonic, sedative (mild), antimicrobial, cholinergic
Active Constituents
Volatile oil (beta-asarone — potentially carcinogenic in diploid varieties, alpha-asarone, calacone, methyl eugenol), tannins, bitter glycosides (acorine), flavonoids, starch
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture☕ Herbal Tea
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 0.5 tsp dried root per 250ml, steep 10 min, 2–3x daily — very aromatic |
| Tincture | 1–2 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Use European/North American varieties (diploid) — low asarone (< 0.5%). Avoid Indian tetraploid (highest beta-asarone — potentially carcinogenic). Commission E approved for digestive complaints at low doses. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid Indian tetraploid (high beta-asarone — carcinogenic). Avoid in pregnancy. Long-term high-dose use with European variety — uncertainty. Use short courses.
Side Effects: Beta-asarone — carcinogenic concern (diploid: low risk; tetraploid: significant). GI irritation. Avoid prolonged high-dose use.