Perennial, iris-like plant, Acorus calamus L., Araceae. Habit. Europe, North America, Western Asia; cultivated in Burma and Ceylon. Several varieties exist and are characterized based on β-asarone content. Medicinal portion is the rhizome. Constit. Volatile oil (1.5-3.5%), resins (2.5%), tannins (1.5%); bitter principles such as acorin; mucilage, starch, sugars. Review of toxicology: M. J. Cupp, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products (Humana Press, Totowa, 2000) pp 171-175; of medicinal uses and constituents: J. Barnes et al., Herbal Medicines (Pharmaceutical Press, London, 2nd Ed., 2002) pp 100-102.
Obtained by steam distillation of the fresh or unpeeled dried rhizome. Constit. β-Asarone, highly variable, 90-96% in Indian variety; calamenol (5%), calamene (4%), calamone, methyl eugenol, eugenol, sesquiterpenes. Toxicity study: J. M. Taylor et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 10, 405 (1967). Fragrance monograph: Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 15, 623-626 (1977). Review of composition and uses: C. Singh et al., J. Med. Aromat. Plant Sci. 23, 687-708 (2001).
Carminative, spasmolytic, diaphoretic.