Effects and functions of calamus

Nature and flavor of calamus

Pungent, warm, non-toxic.

Processing method of Acorus calamus

Use a copper knife to scrape off the yellow and black skin of the calamus roots, then mix it with young mulberry branches, steam it together, and grind it into powder after drying it in the sun.

Chemical constituents of Acorus calamus

Acorus contains asarone, cis-methyl isoeugenol, methyl eugenol, calamus enediol, calamus spirenone, calamus ketone, calamus spirone, and calamus ketone.

Toxic effects of calamus

When researchers injected calamus oil into the abdominal cavity of rats, the rats experienced rapid breathing, paroxysmal convulsions within a few minutes, and in severe cases, death. Intraperitoneal injection of the water extract of the rhizome has a sedative effect on mice. Poisoning by the variant Japanese calamus can cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea in the body.

Calamus root treatments

It can cure wind-cold-dampness arthritis, improve hearing and eyesight, and treat tinnitus, headache, and tears. It can also treat febrile malaria in children, with persistent heat in the body. Drinking it after mashing it into juice can detoxify croton and euphorbia cyathulae. The root tuber can treat influenza, anthrax, and rheumatic pain; the leaves, flowers, and buds can treat febrile pain, carbuncle, headache, and toothache (Yunnan Province Chronicles).

How to take calamus

Collect a pound of calamus and soak it together with rice overnight, then dry it in the sun, sieve it, mix it with glutinous rice porridge, add honey, roll it into pills, and place it in a ventilated place to dry.

Take calamus, dry it in the shade for 100 days, and grind it into powder. Add a small spoonful every time you drink alcohol. Long-term use can cure forgetfulness.

It should be noted that the Chinese Plant Atlas Database has included calamus as a poisonous plant. The whole plant is poisonous, and the rhizome is particularly toxic. Large amounts taken orally will produce strong visual hallucinations, so it should not be used indiscriminately and must be taken under the advice of a doctor.

The insect repellent effect of calamus

Acorus calamus is also a "green pesticide". After mashing the rhizome of calamus, add 10 times the amount of water and boil it for two hours. Dilute the filtered liquid with 3 kg of water. It can effectively prevent and control rice planthoppers, aphids, red spiders, etc.