Acorus calamus L.

Sanjeet Kumar

Acorus calamus L.

Botanical name: Acorus calamus

Family: Acoraceae

Distribution                                              

It is native of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. In India it grown in marshy areas up to 1800 meters height. It is cultivated in many parts of India such as Kashmir Manipur etc.

Botany of Acorus calamus L.

It is a grass-like, perennial, rhizome forming, consisting long creeping roots. Leaves are thick and erect. Flowers are small, sessile, greenish brown and densely packed. Fruits small and berry having few seeds.

Medicinal value(s)

Rhizome is used in epilepsy and mental ailments. Mature leaves are used as insect repellant. In Vedic periods it was used as a rejuvenative. The root chewed to fight the problems of toothache.

Chemical compound(s)

The main chemical compound is ‘asarone’. It is a genotoxic substance causing genetic mutation and tumors. Rhizomes also contain Choline.

Common use(s)

·        The word ‘acorus’ is originated from the greek word ‘acoron’ used by the Dioscorids which in turn derived from the “corcon” word means ‘pupil’ because it is used in the treatment of eyes diseases and its inflammation.