Evidence supporting the use of: Grass-leaved calamus
For the health condition: Sore Throat
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Grass-leaved calamus (commonly referring to Acorus gramineus or related species) has been used traditionally in certain herbal medicine systems to alleviate symptoms of sore throat. The use is primarily recorded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and various folk remedies, where preparations of calamus root or extracts were gargled or ingested to soothe throat discomfort, likely due to its purported anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Historical texts and materia medica from these traditions mention calamus among formulations for throat ailments, but typically as part of complex mixtures rather than a primary remedy.
Scientific validation for this use is limited. While some studies on related species (Acorus calamus) indicate possible antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, there is a lack of direct clinical evidence supporting the efficacy of Grass-leaved calamus for sore throat in humans. No high-quality randomized controlled trials have evaluated its effectiveness or safety for this specific indication, and pharmacological studies are sparse. As such, its use for sore throat remains largely rooted in tradition rather than modern scientific validation, and safety concerns (such as potential toxicity of certain calamus species) should also be considered.
Other ingredients used for Sore Throat
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black pepper
chamomile
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
glehnia root
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
licorice root
marshmallow
mint
spruce
platycodon root
sage
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
yellow root
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
chaff flower
yarrow
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
flowering quince
sweetgums
camphor oil
wood betony
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
acacia
Agrimony
Alchornea
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Alchemilla
Asafoetida
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Bryonia
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bougainvillea
Buddha's Hand
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Carvone
Cistus
Cubeb
Carlina
Calamus
Culvers Root
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
English Horsemint
Elder
Goldthread
Orsa salt
Spikenard
Other health conditions supported by Grass-leaved calamus
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Bronchitis
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores