Evidence supporting the use of: Calamus
For the health condition: Infection (viral)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Calamus (Acorus calamus), also known as sweet flag, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In these traditions, Calamus has been employed for a variety of ailments, including digestive issues, neural disorders, and as a general tonic. There are some claims in ethnobotanical literature that Calamus has been used for infectious diseases, including those of viral origin, likely due to its perceived "purifying" or antimicrobial qualities. However, these uses are primarily based on traditional beliefs and anecdotal evidence rather than systematic clinical research.

Scientific studies on Calamus have demonstrated some degree of antimicrobial activity in vitro, mostly against bacteria and fungi, but robust evidence for antiviral properties is lacking. No high-quality clinical trials or strong pharmacological studies specifically support the use of Calamus for treating or preventing viral infections in humans. Furthermore, concerns exist regarding the safety of certain Calamus preparations, as some compounds (notably β-asarone) have shown toxicity in animal studies. Thus, while Calamus is traditionally used and sometimes cited for infection-related ailments, the scientific evidence supporting antiviral effects is weak or absent.

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