The vacha, Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) is a fragrant herb with creeping rhizomes that gives off a nice, sweet scent from its essential oils. The Vacha plant has been listed as one of the threatened species in the Red Data Book.
Vacha, Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) is regarded as a revitalizing herb in Ayurveda due to its nerve-boosting properties. It is utilized in dried form and has a bitter flavor.
The roots of the vacha plant (Calamus) are used to treat tremors, anxiety, sadness, memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, and neurological pain disorders.
Description
Vacha is a member of the Acoraceae family and is scientifically known as Acorus calamus. The Vacha plant is a semi-aquatic herb that resembles grass that thrives in wet, marshy areas such as rivers, ponds, and swamps. The vacha plant is a fragrant herb with creeping rhizomes that gives off a nice, sweet scent from its essential oils.
Botanical Name:
Acorus Calamus
Family:
Acoraceae
Leaves:
A colony of Sweet Flag may initially resemble cattail or Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor); nevertheless, it is distinguished from all other plants by its bright green, sword-shaped leaves that have a greenish-yellow, finger-like structure.
Flower:
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) flowers are small and yellow, and are borne on spike-like structures called spadix. The spadix is located at the top of the leafless stem that emerges from the base of the plant.
Bark:
Their bark is brownish-red, and their fleshy white inside is often 1-2 inches thick.
Varieties:
Acorus comes in a number of variations, such as Acorus gramineus (Japanese sweet flag), Acorus calamus (sweet flag), and other cultivars with varying leaf hues, such as ‘Variegatus’ with striped leaves.
Habitat:
Its favored habitat is shallows and muddy shorelines; it frequently makes its home in up to a foot of water. The flowering structure resembles a jack-in-the-pulpit spadix.
Parts Used:
Sweet Flag Rhizome
Chemical constituents:
Beta-asarone, beta-gurjunene, (Z)-asarone, aristolene, (E)-asarone, sequesterpenes-norsequesterpine, calamusin A–H, and beta-daucosterol
Dosage:
Powder: 125–500 mg split into doses
Botanical Description
Acorus calamus is a kind of flowering plant that contains psychoactive compounds. It is also known by several other names, such as muskrat root, sweet flag, and sway. It is a tall wetland monocot in the Acoraceae family, belonging to the genus Acorus.
Medicinal Properties
- Neuroprotective
- Anticonvulsant
- Antidepressant
- Nervine Stimulant
- Nootropic
- Sedative
- Muscle relaxant
- Analgesic
- Anti-arthritic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antitussive
- Antibacterial
- Digestive Stimulant
- Emmenagogue
- Intellect promoting
- Thermogenic (produces heat in the body)
- Anti-hypertensive
- Cardiac Stimulant
- Cardioprotective
- Aam Pachak (Detoxifier)
- Carminative
- Antispasmodic
- Cholagogue
Other Language Names of Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus)
Hindi name – Bach, Ghorbach, Safed bach
English name – Sweet flag, Calamus,Myrtle grass
Telugu name – Vasa
Kannada name – Baje
Tamil name – Vasambu, Pullai-Valathi
Arabic name – Vaj, Vash, Oudul Vaj
Malayalam name – Bavambu
Gujarati name – Gandhilovaj, Godavaj
Urdu – Bach,Vaj
Nepali name – Bojho
Persian name – Agar, AGARTURKI, vASA
kashmiri name – Vachi,Vaigandar
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Sub-Kingdom | Viridiplantae |
| Infra Kingdom | Streptophyta (Land Plants) |
| Super Division | Embryophyta |
| Division | Tracheophyta (Tracheophytes or Vascular Plants) |
| Sub Division | Spermatophytina (Spermatophytes or Seed Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Super Order | Lilianae (Monocots or Monocotyledons) |
| Order | Acorales |
| Family | Acoraceae (sweet-flag) |
Ayurvedic Properties
Hindi/Sanskrit
- Rasa – Katu,Tikta
- Guna – Laghu,Tikshna
- Virya – Ushna
- Vipaka – Katu
English
- Taste – Pungent,Bitter
- Physical Property – Light,Sharp
- Potency – Hot
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion) – Pungent
Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) Uses
- Ginger can be used with vacha rhizome.
- Ghee can be consumed with vacha powder.
- Vacha roots can be dried and used as a flavoring for appetizers and bitter liqueurs.
Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) Benefits
Sweet Flag keeps hair lice away:
Because vacha (Acorus Calamus) oil is a natural pesticide, it works well to kill lice. It does not hurt to apply it to the scalp because it is safe for external usage and mild on skin.
Excellent for the nervous system:
Vacha is a well-known herb for nervous system problems. Since ancient times, it has been a very effective brain cure. The plant can be used to treat mania, epilepsy, and other brain problems because it eliminates the excessive accumulation of kapha that leads to these conditions.
Reduces Inflammation:
Strong anti-inflammatory qualities in vacha oil aid in preventing skin infections. It may also be able to reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis. Additionally, inhaling Vacha oil relieves headaches and calms the mind.
Sweet Flag Is Beneficial During Delivery:
Vacha-induced strong contractions in the uterus help with challenging or prolonged labor. Childbirth often reaches a critical stage as the mother becomes exhausted or refuses to give birth. In such cases, vasha powder helps and makes it easier for the mother to give birth to the child. This herb is also a useful treatment for dysmenorrhea.
Uses of Vacha for Constipation:
A low-fiber diet may lead to issues such as constipation. According to a 1975 study by Oyenuga and Fetuga, the rhizome of the Vacha plant has up to 6.5% of crude fiber. Including more fiber in the diet may speed up digestion, lessen the absorption of cholesterol, and aid in the stomach’s absorption of important nutrients.
Sweet Flag’s Benefits for Asthma:
Sweet flag’s benefits for respiratory health are more well-known. It facilitates the respiratory tract’s air particle refinement. Inhaled air is purified and pathogens are destroyed. Chewing sweet flags, especially the roots, relieves coughs and common colds while also soothing the throat.
Sweet flag (Acorus Calamus) Side Effects
Cancer:
Sweet flag has been prohibited from use in food additives and dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the presence of beta-asarone, a chemical that may cause cancer.
Vomiting:
Vomiting brought on by sweet flag may be severe and persist for up to 15 hours.
Slowed intestinal movement:
Sweet flag may cause constipation by slowing down the passage of food through the intestines.
Interaction with medications:
Sweet flag may interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications.
Conclusion
Sweet flag has long been prized for its aromatic oils and rhizome, which have been used for medical purposes, as an ingredient in alcoholic drinks, as an essence in perfumes and oils, and for their insecticidal qualities.
FAQS
Is Vacha Allowed in the Foods?
No, without a doctor’s advice, it is not suggested to mix or add any kind of Vacha to meals. The usage of several Vacha species has been prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to reports that they contain compounds that may cause cancer. Thus, it is not possible to consume all Vacha kinds orally.
Is Vacha Safe To Take For Stammering?
Because of its Medhaya properties and ability to balance Vata, vacha churna is thought to help with speech difficulties. This herbal remedy gives the body the vigor it needs to manage a variety of nerve-related issues. Every day, take one or two pinches of Vacha combined with honey to help with stuttering speech.
Can you use sweet flag as a medicine?
The primary application of sweet flag is in medicine. Gastritis can be cured using the oil. It has emetic, anti-spasmodic, and carminative qualities when taken as an infusion. It is employed in the fragrance sector.
What advantages does Sweet Flag offer?
Sweet flag has anti-spasmodic properties that aid in the relief of aches and cramps. Additionally, it aids in the prevention of several digestive problems like diarrhea, bloating, and constipation. Additionally, it exhibits gas-reducing and colic-relieving qualities.
Also Read: Ushira, Vetiver (Vetiveria Zizanioides): Uses, Benefits and Side Effects