Calamus (Latin name, Acorus calamus), a semi-aquatic and aromatic herb with creeping rhizomes, is cultivated throughout India and up to an altitude of 2,200 m in the
Himalayas.
The rhizomes, pale to dark brown in color, are horizontal, jointed, somewhat vertically compressed, and spongy within. The leaves are long, slender and sword shaped. The flowers are small, yellow-green and seen in a spadix.
The roots and leaves produce a light brown to brownish yellow volatile oil known as Calamus oil. Calamus shows anti-spasmodic, carminative and anthelmintic properties. It is used in the treatment of epilepsy and other mental ailments. It is also used to cure chronic diarrhea, dysentery, bronchial catarrh, intermittent fevers, glandular and abdominal tumors.
Vacha, Sadgrantha, Ugragandha, Vayambur and Bach are its other names.
