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Acorus

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Synonyms: Calamus, sweet flag, bojho

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Biological source:

Botanical name:Acorus calamus

Part used:rhizome

Family: Araceae

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Geographical source:

  • Native of Europe and is found wild in England.
  • Found throughout India, Nepal and Srilanka.

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Macroscopical features (Rhizome)

    • Color: Brown
    • Odor: characteristic
    • Taste: bitter
    • Shape: sub cylindrical
    • Size: upto 20 cm long , 2 cm in diameter
    • Other features:
    • Possess deep longitudinal wrinkles.
    • Contain prominent leaf scars on the upper surface, lower surface has circular root scars. Fracture: corky

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Microscopical features (Rhizome)

  • The outer layer is epidermis or cork.
  • Outer cortex consist of collenchymatous cells. Inner region and all the pith is comprised largely of chains of rounded parenchymatous cells surrounding large intercellular spaces.
  • Each chain contain one or more large sacs with yellowish volatile oil content.
  • Just below the cortex lies a single layer of Endodermis.
  • A number of concentric vascular bundles are found scattered.

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Chemical constituents

Contain 1.5-3.5% volatile oil

Important constituents include asarone, eugenol etc

Also contain bitter principle known as acorine, resins and tannins.

asarone

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Pharmacological action / Uses

Carminative, stimulant, antispasmodic, emetic, expectorant, emenagogue, diuretic

Used for treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, bronchial and chest infections in children.

Powdered rhizome is also used as insecticide.