Acorus calamus (Vacha, Sweet flag, Chang Pu, 菖蒲) is used for treating stomach & digestive disorders, web cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, arthritis and rheumatic pains in both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.
Vacha (acorus calamus) looks like reed, it belongs to the arum family. Acorus calamus is a semi-aquatic plant, common throughout Asia, Europe and North America, where it grows on riverbanks, edges of lakes and streams. The roots are used for healing purpose. Calamus has been in use worldwide in Asia, Europe and by Native Americans as a herbal medicine.
The root has anodyne, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant, and stomachic properties. It can be used for relieving flatulence, colic, atonic dyspepsia, weakness of the digestive organs.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Acorus calamus (Chang Pu, 菖蒲) is a warming, drying and acrid herb that removes phlegm, fluids and excessive moistures from the channels and organs of the body. That is why, when there is a disease with “wet” symptoms, such as some types of stomach and digestive problems, wet coughs and rheumatic pains, etc. acorus calamus is often combined in the herbal formula for the treatment.
Similar descriptions can be seen in Ayurvedic medicine. Acorus calamus (Vacha) pacifies vitiated vata and kapha. It is carminative, diaphoretic and expectorant. Vacha dispels phlegm, damp and cold from the lungs and stomach. It can be used to stimulate and normalize the appetite, and treat coughs, arthritis, bronchitis and sinusitis.
Recipe – Vacha (acorus calamus) for loss of appetite, flatulence, distaste and abdominal pain:
– Vacha powder 1 gram
– Warm water 1 cup
– Take the powder with water
– This remedy relieves the loss of appetite, flatulence, distaste and dull abdominal pain
Vacha (acorus calamus) can be used in forms of decoction, powder or essential oil.
Please consult with your doctor before using vacha as a remedy.
