Acorus calamus L.

Acorus calamus L.

Family: Araceae
Common Names: Sweet flag, Flag root, beewort
Vernacular Names: Gorbach (Hindi), Vacha (Sanskrit) Vasambu (Tamil), Vayambu (Malayalam)

Plant Description
Acorus calamus is a grass-like deciduous plant found in swamps and near rivers
Habit: Perennial Herb
Height: upto 2m
Leaves: Bright green, narrow, ensiform or linear
Flowers: Pale green, fragrant, arranged compactly on a sessile, cylindrical, stumpy spadix
Stem: Brown, cylindrical, twisted and curved rhizomes
Fruit: Green, angular, 3-celled, fleshy berries containing 1-3 oblong seeds
Beneficial Properties
 Medicial Properties

 It is a traditional Indian medicinal herb, which is practiced to treat a wide range of health ailments, including neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, metabolic, kidney, and liver disorders.
 Root has a pain relieving effect and was effective in fighting off colds, coughs, upset stomachs and fevers.
 In the form of infusion it is carminative and possesses emetic and anti-spasmodic properties.
 It helps improve digestion, reduce bloating, and relieve stomach discomfort.
 The water-ethanolic extract of sweet flag exhibit anti-oxidant property.
 Other uses
 It is used in perfumery industry.
 It also has insecticidal properties.