This record refers to the triploid form of the species. Acorus calamus has diploid, triploid and tetraploid forms. Each form has enough morphologicalvariation from the other two forms to be deemed worthy of varietal status. In addition to morphological differences, each form has its own unique chemistry - this is in particular shown in the components of the essential oil obtained from each form - their make up is quite different, giving each form its own unique properties.

Common Name:

General Information

Acorus calamus calamus is a stemless herbaceous perennial plant producing a clump of sword-shaped leaves up to 150cm tall from an extensively-branched, creeping rhizome that is up to 3cm in diameter[].
Sweet flag is a multipurpose plant with a wide range of used as a medicine, food and source of materials. It has a long history of use as a medicinal and culinary plant, dating back 2,000 years or more, and has often been cultivated for this purpose, though it is more commonly allowed to naturalize and then be harvested from the wild. It is often grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The plant is found in three distinct forms, one diploid, one triploid and one tetraploid. This record is for the triploid form, the essential oil of which has been shown to contain a small amount of the compound beta-asarone. Research has shown that beta-asarone has potential carcinogenic and hepatotoxic effects upon the body if used in quantity, though it is present in too small a quantity to be of harm when the root is consumed[].
The essential oil (like all essential oils), if ingested in its pure form, can be toxic in all but very small quantities[, ].
In practice, when the whole root is used medicinally, the plant has shown itself to be safe and beneficial to use - as is shown by the wide medicinal use of the plant in Asia, where they use this form which is rich in beta-asarone[, ].

Botanical References

Range

Asia - Sibria to Korea; central Asia to the Himalayas

Habitat

Found in moist soils and shallow water in ditches, marshes, river edges and ponds[, , , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sweet flag is a widespread plant that can be found from the cold temperate zone right through to the tropics. It is tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, though it grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 26°c, and can tolerate 4 - 30°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -25°c[, ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 430 - 4,200mm[].
Succeeds in a wide range of soils, requiring a position in shallow water or in a very moist loamy soil[]. Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5[].
The plant never sets seed unless it is growing in water[]. It can spread quite freely at the roots and soon becomes established.

Acorus calamus has diploid, triploid, and tetraploid forms. The different cytotypes show a great morphological variability and also a large variation in the chemical composition of the essential oils from the rhizome and leaves. As a result, they have been considered as representing species or varieties: Acorus calamus var. Calamus (or A. Calamus var. Vulgaris) for the triploids, A. Calamus var. Americanus for the diploids, and A. Calamus var. Angustus for the tetraploids. Acorus calamus is considered in this treatment as a variable species, and infraspecific taxa are not recognized because there is an overlap in the width of the leaves, from 0.8 cm to 1.5 or 2 cm, also from Asiatic collections from different geographical regions, and furthermore the length of the spadices is variable. It can be observed that several collections from Asia have somewhat narrower leaves, ca. 1 cm wide; but there are also broader ones, and there is a continuous series.

Edible Uses

The rhizome is candied and made into a sweetmeat[, , , , , , ]. It can be peeled and washed to remove the bitterness and then eaten raw like a fruit[, ]. It makes a palatable vegetable when roasted[] and can also be used as a flavouring[]. Rich in starch, the root contains about 1% of an essential oil that is used as a food flavouring[, , ]. The root also contains a bitter glycoside[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The dried and powdered rhizome has a spicy flavour and is used as a substitute for ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg[, , , , ]. A pinch of the powdered rhizome is used as a flovouring in tea[].

The young and tender inflorescence is often eaten by children for its sweetness[].

Young leaves - cooked[]. The fresh leaves contain 0.078% oxalic acid[]. The leaves can be used to flavour custards in the same way as vanilla pods[].

The inner portion of young stems is eaten raw[]. It makes a very palatable salad[].

Medicinal

Sweet flag has a very long history of medicinal use in many herbal traditions. It is widely employed in modern herbal medicine as an aromatic stimulant and mild tonic[]. In Ayurveda it is highly valued as a rejuvenator for the brain and nervous system and as a remedy for digestive disorders[].
The plant is found in three distinct forms, one diploid, one triploid and one tetraploid. Each of these forms has a distinct chemistry and this triploid form has been shown to contain a small quantity beta-asarone, a compound that has potential health disbenefits. See notes above on toxicity for more information[, ].
In practice however, the concentration of beta-asarone in this form is too low to be of real concern unless the pure essentail oil is ingested. When the whole root is used medicinally, the plant is safe and beneficial to use - as is shown by the wide medicinal use of the beta-asarone-rich form in Asia[, ].

The root is anodyne, aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hallucinogenic, hypotensive, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, mildly tonic and vermifuge[, , , , , , , , ]. It is used internally in the treatment of digestive complaints, bronchitis, sinusitis etc[]. It is said to have wonderfully tonic powers of stimulating and normalizing the appetite. In small doses it reduces stomach acidity whilst larger doses increase stomach secretions[] and it is, therefore, recommended in the treatment of anorexia nervosa[]. However if the dose is too large it will cause nausea and vomiting[]. It is a folk remedy for arthritis, cancer, convulsions, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, epilepsy etc[]. An infusion of the root can bring about an abortion[] whilst chewing the root alleviates toothache[]. Chewing the root is also said to kill the taste for tobacco[].
Sweet flag is also used externally to treat skin eruptions, rheumatic pains and neuralgia[].
Roots 2 - 3 years old are used since older roots tend to become tough and hollow[]. 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[]. It does, however, deteriorate if stored for too long[].

Caution is advised on the use of this root, especially in the form of the distilled essential oil, since large doses can cause mild hallucinations[]. Chewing large amounts of the leaves and/or roots can cause hallucinations due to the presence of asarones, which have mescaline-like hallucinogenic properties if taken in sufficient quantities[]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

A homeopathic remedy is made from the roots[]. It is used in the treatment of flatulence, dyspepsia, anorexia and disorders of the gall bladder[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used in basket making or woven into mats[]. They have also been used as a thatch for roofs[].

An essential oil from the rhizome is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[, , ]. The oil is contained mainly in the outer skin of the root[], it has a fragrance reminiscent of patchouli oil[]. The fresh roots yield about 1.5 - 3.5% essential oil, dried roots about 0.8%[, ]. Some plants from Japan have yielded 5% essential oil[].
The essential oil is also an insect repellent and insecticide[, ]. It is effective against houseflies[]. When added to rice being stored in granaries it has significantly reduced loss caused by insect damage because the oil in the root has sterilized the male rice weevils[].
An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used in perfumery and for making aromatic vinegars[].

The leaves and the root have a refreshing scent of cinnamon[]. All parts of plant can be dried and used to repel insects or to scent linen cupboards[, , ]. They can also be burnt as an incense[], whilst the whole plant was formerly used as a strewing herb[, , , ]. The growing plant is said to repel mosquitoes[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stand the pot in about 3cm of water. Pot up young seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle, keep them wet by standing the pots in shallow water and overwinter for the first year in a greenhouse or cold frame. Seed is rarely produced in cool temperate areas[, ].
Division in spring just before growth starts[]. Very easy, it can be carried out successfully at any time in the growing season and can be planted direct into its permanent positions[].