Calamus oil

Technical Data Sheets :

Botanical Name: Acorus Calamus

Common Method of Extraction: The common method of extraction of Calamus oil is steam distillation.

Parts Used: The main part used is the root. The plant is also known as sweet flag and is a perennial herb. It spreads like a creeper rhizome and it spreads a nice aroma. It has flowers and fruits and the root and the rhizomes are known for its therapeutic properties. The root and rhizomes are dried before using. The pant’s root stock has the aromatic and bitter oil.

Note Classification: Middle

Aroma: The aroma of the Calamus oil is warm and spicy. It has the characteristic odour of Calamus and is a yellowish brown liquid.

Largest Producing Countries: The Calamus plant can be seen all over the world. It is largely seen and cultivated in the marshy areas of India and Burma. In India it is widely seen in the state of Manipur and around the Naga Hills. Since it is a semi-perennial plant it is grown mainly on the shores of lakes and streams.

Traditional Use: The plant Calamus has been used by people for more than thousand years. It is used as a part of medicines and since the aroma of the oil is quite strong and good it is used widely in the perfume industry. The solid form is eaten and is called the German ginger. The tuber concentrate is used as a flavour for pipe tobacco. People in Europe add it to wine and the root is used as an ingredient of absinthe. In Lithuania people add this while making baked black bread. In Britain people used to cut the plant and use as sweet smelling floor covering in residences and churches. English cottages used this for thatching material for cottages. In Egypt people believed that it has aphrodisiac properties. The plant and its parts are traditionally used as part of Indian and Chinese herbal medicines. It is used in the Sidha and Ayurveda medicines.

Properties: Calamus oil is an aromatic stimulant and tonic and is used to treat nervous problems, headaches, dysentery and vertigo. It increases the appetite and helps problem created by indigestion. It is used to maintain the health of the brain and also helps to recover from shocks and other damages. The oil is ideal for problems created by the lack of blood supply to the brain and it provides relief from neuralgia. It is an excellent relaxant of the blood vessels and decreases the pressure on cranial nerves. The spasmodic ingredients present in the oil gives relief to muscle pain. It is also considered as a powerful anti-oxidant.

Blends Well With: Calamus blends well with many essential oils like the cinnamon, clary sage, cedar wood, patchouli, rosemary, tea tree, ylang-ylang and lavender.

Of Interest: Calamus oil and the other parts of the plant is been used by human being for more than 40 centuries. The mention of this plant is seen in many mythologies and also in some very old medicines. People all over the world consider this as a medicine which can be a remedy for much health disarray.

Safety Data: Calamus oil should be avoided during pregnancy. The oil can cause seizures and illusions if taken internally.