Evidence supporting the use of: Calamus rhizome
For the health condition: Dyspepsia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Calamus rhizome (Acorus calamus), commonly known as sweet flag, has a long history of use in various traditional systems of medicine—including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and European herbalism—for the treatment of digestive disorders such as dyspepsia (indigestion). Historical texts describe its application as a carminative (to relieve flatulence), stomachic (to stimulate appetite and gastric function), and spasmolytic (to relieve spasms of the digestive tract). The rhizome is typically used in small quantities, often as part of polyherbal formulations, to support digestion, reduce bloating, and soothe discomfort associated with dyspepsia.
Scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of calamus rhizome for dyspepsia is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that calamus extracts may influence gastrointestinal motility, have mild antispasmodic effects, and stimulate gastric secretions, potentially explaining its traditional use. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and safety concerns exist: certain varieties of Acorus calamus contain β-asarone, a compound considered potentially carcinogenic and neurotoxic in high doses. Regulatory agencies in several countries have imposed restrictions on the use of calamus and its extracts for human consumption.
In summary, while the use of calamus rhizome for dyspepsia is well-established in traditional medicine, modern clinical evidence is lacking, and safety concerns limit its recommendation in contemporary practice.
Other ingredients used for Dyspepsia
cutchAllspice
Aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
barberry
basil
Myrobalan
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
black pepper
blackberry
rice
chamomile
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
fennel
flavonols
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
Indian tinospora
licorice root
Marshmallow
mustard seed
oregon grape
Peppermint
phellodendron amurense
plantain
plum fruit
raspberry
slippery elm bark
Sphaeranthus indicus
Triphala
gastrodia
cardamom
papaya
Indian bael
Neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
Clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
Hedychium spicatum
anise
Tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Fumaria parviflora
Swertia
peony
boxthorne
Yarrow
prickly ash
Myrrh
chrysanthemum
dioscorea
fern
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
Morinda
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
Wood betony
White oak
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
geranium
avens
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Amomum
asafoetida
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Alstonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteraceae
ananain
Abuta
Aniseed myrtle
Arisaema
black seed
bai ji
Bidens pilosa
blackthorn
bicarbonate
Blepharis
belleric myrobalan
bistort
Butea monosperma
Barleria
bitter grass
bael
Boswellia
banyan
bur-reed
back nightshade
Bombax
bitter principals
black root
banana
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
centaury
Cinnamomum
Combretum quadrangulare
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
citron
carry me seed
capsaicin
curcumen
catechu
Campylandra fimbriata
colombo
corktree
Curcuma
chirata
costus
colocynth
Celosia
dianthrone
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Evodia
elephant\'s head
European five-finger grass
Embelia
Flueggea suffruticosa
four-leaved grass
goldthread
genipap
Gnaphalium
Guava
Gentianella amarella
gallotannin
Galangal
Hygrophila
Helicteres isora
Hempnettle
iridoid glycosides
Indian coraltree
long pepper
knotgrass
Lebbek
Ledebouriella
Lesser speargrass
Laggera pterodonta
luffa
lodhtree
lotus
Lycopodium
little ironweed
Marjoram
Mucilage
Malva sylvestris
Matico
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Meadow sage
Milkweed
Morning glory
marigold
magnolol
manzanita
Neoandrographolides
Nimbidin
Oxystelma
Phyllanthus
Premna
Phragmites
Psacalium peltatum
Plantago
Pluchea
Pepper Bark Tree
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Peucedanum
Portulaca
Plumbago zeylanica
Pimpinella
Patrinia
Physalis angulata
Papayotin
Potentilla
Quisqualis
rue
Rubus
Rubiaceae
Rhus coriaria
Sicklepod
Sophora
Spanish Needle
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Snakeroot
Solanum indicum
Southernwood
Slippery Elm
Sagebrush
Spantholobus
Stereospermum
Sweet Bay
Sandy Everlasting
Servicetree
Sedanenolide
Terminalia
Thymoquinone
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Varuna
Verbena
Vidanga
Viola
Water Pepper
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Calamus rhizome
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Addictions (general remedies for)
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Belching
Boils
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Indigestion
Infection
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Jaundice (adults)
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Wounds and Sores