For centuries, Vacha (also known as Calamus and Sweet Flag)is one of the primary herbs of traditional Chinese medicine and of Ayurveda, and has been one of the most renowned herbs used for mental and emotional disorders and for diseases of the nervous system. This is especially the case for disorders characterized by an impairment of concentrative ability such as ADD and ADHD, for which it is a specific. It is a major part of Siddha/Ayurveda formula made to treat depression where there is an accumulation of mental aam.

For centuries, Vacha (also known as Calamus and Sweet Flag)is one of the primary herbs of traditional Chinese medicine and of Ayurveda, and has been one of the most renowned herbs used for mental and emotional disorders and for diseases of the nervous system. This is especially the case for disorders characterized by an impairment of concentrative ability such as ADD and ADHD, for which it is a specific. It is a major part of Siddha/Ayurveda formula made to treat depression where there is an accumulation of mental aam.

According to Ayurvedic tradition, Vacha is a ‘sattvic’ herb which feeds and transmutes the ‘kundalini’ energy in its action as a stimulating nerve tonic that helps support brain functioning. As a rejuvenative for the brain and nervous system, it is used to promote cerebral circulation, to stimulate self-expression (in Sanskrit vacha literally means speaking) and to help support overall brain health and functioning. Swami Thirtha calls this herb as “one of the best of the ‘mind herbs’,” as it is known to remove the toxic residues and the effects of other drugs (including those resulting from hallucinogens, psychotomimetic and even heavy marijuana use) from fatty tissues within the liver, nervous system and brain. It is often used in post-Stroke (CVA) recovery protocols in the treatment of aphasia. By nourishing sadhaka pitta it specifically strengthens the ability of the mind to receive information and recall from memory.

In terms of Vacha’s Ayurvedic energetics, it is bitter in taste, of a heating virya and with a sweet vipaka. Ordinarily it pacifies vata and kapha and heightens pitta, although in some individuals and in higher dosages it may
heighten vata as well.

Calamus was used to repel mosquitoes and fleas and to ward off evil on the Double-five holiday, but its roots were also ingested as part of herbal regimes designed to lead to the longevous state of Transcendent being 仙人. The plant even had its own patron. Like “Hemp Maid” 麻姑, the goddess who is the simulacrum of the hemp plant, Han Zhong is shown here to be a living embodiment of 菖蒲 (calamus).

From A Hermit’s Pharmacopoeia: Or Primary Botanical, Animal and Mineral Sources for Survival and Bigu to Battle Corpse-Worm Infestation & Chu Pathogens
Acorus calamus, changpu, sweet flag. Changpu is mentioned in many Immortal hagiographies, and cited in the scholarly literate as an entheogenic Daoist herb. It is also a food substitute thought to curtail aging. One example is of a pig herder who ate only calamus and atractylis. Or “Han Zhong took sweet flag for thirteen years and his body developed hairs. He intoned ten thousand words of text each day. He felt no cold in winter, though his gown was open.” A special variety with nine joints per inch was especially esteemed as mentioned in Ge Hong “to be effective sweet flag must have grown an inch above the surrounding stones and have nine or more nodules. That with purple flowers are the best.” There is a related smaller species Acorus gramineus Soland. (p’u), mentioned in the Shih Ching or Book of Songs. It is a mainstay of elixirs and even suggested to enable invisibility. A regular ingredient in Tibetan incenses as well.
This is an herb with a wide spectrum of applications, including the treatment of inflammatory swellings and wounds, angina pectoris, severe sore throat, cough, arthritis, asthma, laryngitis, sinus congestion, sinus headaches, gastritis, gastric ulcers, colic pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, anorexia, periodontal diseases, deafness, neuralgia, and shock. It is also used topically in the form of a dry bolus massage (podikizhi or udwartanam). Western pharmacology classifies the plant as a stimulant, emetic, nauseant, stomachic, aromatic, expectorant, carminative, antispasmodic and nervine sedative, antioxidant and antimicrobial.

There has been some misguided and ill-informed concerns regarding Vacha’s safety. Calamus and products derived from it (such as its oil) were banned in 1968 as food additives and medicines by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This ban was the result of a laboratory study that involved supplementing the diets of rodents over a prolonged period of time with massive doses of isolated chemicals (?-asarone) from the Indian Jammu strain of Vacha. The subject animals developed malignant tumors, and the plant was thereafter labeled procarcinogenic, although it is not clear whether the observed carcinogenic effect in rats was relevant to the human organism, particularly given the outlandishly-sized dosages and protracted duration of the regimen. As a cautionary measure, however, most authorities advise against ingesting the Indian Jammu strain. (Four varieties
of Acorus calamus strains exist in nature; diploid, triploid, tetraploid and hexaploid. Acorus calamus americanus is widely used and believed completely safe in appropriate therapeutic dosages). No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages of Calamus of European or American origin (triploid strain, up to 15% beta- asarone in volatile oil) but long-term use of this herb should be avoided and use should be intermittent (one month on, one month off).

All the above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.