Evidence supporting the use of: Calamus
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Calamus (Acorus calamus) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, for respiratory ailments including bronchial congestion. Historically, the rhizome has been prepared as decoctions, powders, or inhaled as smoke to help clear phlegm and ease breathing. Traditional texts cite its warming, expectorant, and decongestant properties, attributing its efficacy to its aromatic oils (notably beta-asarone and other volatile constituents) that are thought to stimulate mucus clearance from the respiratory tract.
However, despite its widespread use in folk remedies, modern scientific evidence supporting Calamus for bronchial congestion is very limited. There are a few in vitro and animal studies suggesting mild antispasmodic and expectorant effects, but no rigorous clinical trials have confirmed its efficacy or safety for this specific indication. Moreover, some Calamus varieties (especially those high in beta-asarone) are considered potentially toxic and are restricted in some countries. Thus, while traditional use persists and there is some pharmacological rationale for its expectorant action, the evidence remains primarily anecdotal and not validated by modern clinical science.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Calamus
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Addictions (general remedies for)
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Bronchitis
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Digestion (poor)
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Insomnia
Itching
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Stress
Ulcers