 Calamus root can act as stimulant and cure number of disorders
Added: 10/14/2005 |
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Calamus root is one of the wide array of names attributed to this curious plant. Among the others are: sweet flag, pine root, sweet cane, muskrat root, etc. It is a perennial plant from the Arum family. It grows in northern latitudes around the globe and is a very water-loving plant. Calamus root is normally found in watery places, perpetually damp and muddy areas, mostly around lakes and streams. It is often found partly immersed in water.
The swordlike leaves of Acorus calamus (calamus root) range from 2 to 6 in length and are about 1 inch in width. The plants have long rootstocks that are thick and fleshy, they spread in a horizontal manner and reach out for about 2 meters. The plant is very well adapted to the moist soil of watery places, which constitute its main habitat and, is a very hardy perennial. These plants will grow almost anywhere as long as there are adequate amounts of water present, and ample, full sunshine. As the plant mainly inhabits watery places, it is sometimes associated with the moon, but it should be kept in mind that calamus root has a stimulating rather than sedating effect.
Calamus roots are very rare to flower or bear fruit. The shape of the flowers, that are not so often to be seen, is cylindrical, they seem to be made up of many small spikes and fruit are berry-like with a few seeds. Calamus root has an agreeable aromatic odor and is a pungent, bitter taste. It is the active part of the plant which contains asarone. The laboratory studies established the element has been proven to cause cancer in rats, but has been safely used as a sedative in ancient medicine. In large quantities it can induce vomiting, but dosed properly calamus root possesses anti-arrhythmic, anti-tussive, vasodilatory and other beneficial properties. This herb is very widely consumed by the muskrat and therefore it is associated with this rodent in many Native American cultures.
Calamus root has been long known for the variety of its medicinal applications. Some native Indian tribes used Calamus as an anesthetic able to cure toothache as well as headache. It was also effectively utilized for mouth and teeth hygiene, and besides is believed to be able to relieve a hangover. For many Native Indian tribes calamus root was a material for a number of folk remedies. It was believed to be efficient for cough treatment, as well as for colic. The Dakotas claimed that calamus had a high capacity of treating diabetes.
Several cases have been reported where the healing capabilities of calamus root cured people whom the traditional Western medicine had failed to heal. When chewed by Indians on a regular basis, the plant cured the desperate patients of the disease within a few months. Calamus root was found to be rather useful as a general illness cure as well. If taken in small doses, Acorus Calamus root is thought to prevent fatigue. However, greater doses presumably led to psychedelic effects. Great fascination for calamus root was reflected in poems by Walt Whitman, namely "Leaves of Grass." Canadian Trappers chewed a little piece of calamus root to increase endurance and stamina.
Calamus root has been historically used as a parasiticide proved efficient in the prevention measures against lice & scabies infestations. If added to baths it can relieve the tension from the nerves, besides its pharmacological active ingredients make calamus root able to prevent stomach problems, regulate acidity, as well as help to restore concentration and to quit smoking.
Apart from its medicinal usages, the root of the plant is sometimes used for flavoring beer, and other drinks, or is coated with sugar as candy in Asia.
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