Calamus (Acorus calamus) belongs to the marsh plants and comes from Asia. However, in the 16th century it was also brought to Central Europe and today it can be found throughout the northern hemisphere.
Occurrence and cultivation of calamus
The roots of calamus are dug up and cleaned, and then cut into pieces of about 5 cm. Calamus is a herbaceous plant that grows to about 60 to 100cm tall and thrives mainly along flowing waters or on the banks of ponds. The plant has a rhizome, which smells aromatic, and sword-shaped leaves. Laterally, the calamus forms greenish-reddish cobs, the flowers are pentacyclic, that is, they consist of five petal circles each. The calamus flowers in June and July, although in Central Europe the fruits do not ripen, but reproduce vegetatively. The roots of the calamus are dug up and cleaned, and then cut into pieces of about 5 cm. These are then split and dried. The leaves contain tannins, bitters, starch, and the essential oils, eugenol and asarone. In the past, calamus was also called German ginger , other synonyms are chestwort, stomachwort or sword hay.
Effect and application
In the Asian region, calamus is a medicinal plant and also in North America it is used for incenses, teas, as a spice and for medicinal baths, respectively. The Indians of Canada also used the healing properties of the plant for headaches, exhaustion, toothache, asthmatic complaints and oral hygiene. The rootstock is harvested in September and October, and then the rhizomes are used to extract calamus oil, which is used in the production of liqueurs and perfumes. Calamus is appetizing and invigorating and has a mood-lifting effect. However, in too high a dose, it can also cause mild hallucinations. In case of an overdose, sweating, trembling, vomiting and heart palpitations occur. Responsible for this is the asarone, which is also attributed an aphrodisiac effect. Calamus helps very well with stomach problems and is also called a “life extender”. In addition, the root of calamus helps in smoking cessation. Calamus is also effective in bilious and intestinal disorders and stimulates digestion. Especially in intestinal and gastric disorders, which are due to a disturbance of the autonomic nervous system, the medicinal plant helps very well. A bath can also combat states of exhaustion. In addition, calamus is also used for the following complaints:
- It helps with a spoiled stomach.
- It stimulates the flow of bile after a very fatty meal.
- As a liquor, it can also drive away bone pain by rubbing.
- In addition, the rubbing prevents bedsores in bedridden people.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Already the ancient monks put calamus tea to stimulate the appetite. To do this, boil 10 grams of calamus root in a liter of water for 15 minutes, then add bitter clover, wormwood leaves and 10 grams of juniper berries, respectively, and steep the tea for 15 minutes. After straining, the tea should be cooled and drunk lukewarm. However, since the asarone is slightly poisonous, it should not be taken over a long period of time. It is also not recommended to be taken during pregnancy. For a cold extract, the calamus is steeped for about eight hours, requiring one teaspoon of the crushed root for one cup. The decoction is then warmed slightly and strained. A sip should be drunk before or after each meal, although no more than six sips should be taken. The treatment has mainly a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, liver, pancreas and spleen. In addition, a tincture can also be prepared, of which 30 drops can be taken three times a day. For a tincture, 50 grams of calamus root are prepared in 2.5 liters of pure apple cider. Then the mixture must infuse for six weeks. Over a period of six days, 1/4 liter can be drunk daily, sipped and spread throughout the day. The root of calamus can also be used to make an essential oil, which can be used to relieve digestive problems or to stimulate the appetite. The oil can also be applied externally, whereby it shows its effect here especially with certain skin diseases.In addition, calamus is also used externally as a gargle or mouthwash. For a calamus brandy 150g of finely chopped calamus root, 1 liter of clear fruit brandy or brandy are needed. The roots are prepared with the brandy and left in a warm and sunny place for six weeks. The bottle should be shaken every day. After that, strain and do not add sugar. In case of heartburn, it is also possible to take a pinch of ground calamus three times a day. In addition, the powder can be used to apply to festering wounds. For a full bath, 200g of calamus roots are put in 5 liters of cold water for about eight hours. The mixture is then brought to a boil and added to the bath water. Furthermore, calamus root can also be used for hair loss. For this purpose, two tablespoons of calamus root and two tablespoons of great burdock are boiled briefly in 1/4 liter of water. Then the hair rinse must infuse for six hours before the water is strained. The hair is washed with it three to four times a week. The conditioner can be stored in the refrigerator for about three days and briefly reheated if necessary.
