Key Constituents

Phenylpropanoid asarones (alpha- and beta-asarone)^{[4, 5]}

Characteristic aromatic constituents - but beta-asarone is the toxic, safety-limiting compound.

Asarones (alpha-/beta-asarone)

Essential oil and lignans^[5]

Other aromatic and bioactive constituents of the rhizome.

Essential (volatile) oilLignans

Pharmacological Actions

Anticonvulsant^{[5, 6]}

Traditional nervine for memory and concentration (preclinical neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activity)

Antidepressant / mood support^{[5, 6]}

Traditional nervine for memory and concentration (preclinical neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activity)

Anxiolytic / calming^{[5, 6]}

Traditional nervine for memory and concentration (preclinical neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activity)

Bitter digestive tonic / stomachic^[5]

Aromatic bitter / carminative for indigestion, bloating, flatulence and poor appetite (traditional)

Carminative^[5]

Aromatic bitter / carminative for indigestion, bloating, flatulence and poor appetite (traditional)

Neuroprotective / cognition support^{[5, 6]}

Traditional nervine for memory and concentration (preclinical neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activity)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Anxiety^{[5, 6]}Good · 7/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →

Loss of appetite^[5]Good · 7/10

Aromatic bitter / carminative for indigestion, bloating, flatulence and poor appetite (traditional)

more plants for loss of appetite →detailed sources →

Bloating^[5]Good · 7/10

Aromatic bitter / carminative for indigestion, bloating, flatulence and poor appetite (traditional)

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Cognitive function^{[5, 6]}Good · 7/10

Traditional nervine for memory and concentration (preclinical neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activity)

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →

Low mood / depression^{[5, 6]}Good · 7/10

inferred from antidepressant action

more plants for low mood / depression →detailed sources →

Indigestion^[5]Good · 7/10

Aromatic bitter / carminative for indigestion, bloating, flatulence and poor appetite (traditional)

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Memory^{[5, 6]}Good · 7/10

Traditional nervine for memory and concentration (preclinical neuroprotective, anticonvulsant and antidepressant-like activity)

more plants for memory →detailed sources →

Nervous tension^{[5, 6]}Good · 7/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

more plants for nervous tension →detailed sources →

Stress^{[5, 6]}Good · 7/10

inferred from anxiolytic action

more plants for stress →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[4, 5]}Serious

SERIOUS: beta-asarone is hepatotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic in animal studies. Regulators have restricted internal use of asarone-containing Acorus calamus (the Asian high-beta-asarone varieties), and it is banned as a food additive in the USA. Avoid internal use except properly characterised beta-asarone-free preparations.

Safety note^[4]Caution

Do not use in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for prolonged periods. The North American variety (Acorus americanus) is essentially beta-asarone-free, but most commercial calamus is not.

References

REF-0716, REF-0717, REF-0718

References & Sources

Sharma, V., Singh, I. and Chaudhary, P (2014) 'Acorus calamus (The Healing Plant): a review on its medicinal potential, micropropagation and conservation', Natural Product Research, 28(18), pp. 1454-1466. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.915827 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.915827
Khwairakpam, A.D., Damayenti, Y.D., Deka, A., Monisha, J., Roy, N.K. et al (2018) 'Acorus calamus: a bio-reserve of medicinal values', Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, 29(2), pp. 107-122. doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0132 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0132
Ukkirapandian, K., Kayalvizhi, E., Udaykumar, K.P., Kandhi, S. and Muthulakshmi, R (2022) 'The Neuroprotective Role of Acorus calamus in Developmental and Histopathological Changes in Autism-Induced Wistar Rats', Cureus, 14(9), pp. e29717. doi:10.7759/cureus.29717 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29717
Uebel, T., Hermes, L., Haupenthal, S., Muller, L. and Esselen, M (2020) 'alpha-Asarone, beta-asarone, and gamma-asarone: Current status of toxicological evaluation', Journal of Applied Toxicology. doi:10.1002/jat.4112 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4112
He, X., Chen, X., Yang, Y., Liu, Y. and Xie, Y (2023) 'Acorus calamus var. angustatus Besser: Insight into current research on ethnopharmacological use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics', Phytochemistry. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113626 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113626
Sharma, V., Sharma, R., Gautam, D.S., Kuca, K., Nepovimova, E. and Martins, N (2020) 'Role of Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.) in Neurological and Metabolic Disorders: Evidence from Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Study', Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(4). doi:10.3390/jcm9041176 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9041176

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