CALAMUS: Acorus Calamus

Calamus is found in Sweet Flag, a large, strongly scented plant with sword- shaped leaves. Sweet Flag grows in marshland and along riverbanks in Europe, Asia and North-America. The roots are harvested in the spring and late autumn, washed and, after removing the hair-roots, dried at a low temperature. Sweet Flag is best kept in the fridge or a cold cellar.

• Active elements: Asarone.
• Effect: This depends on how much you take. Two or three teaspoons of the dried root has a stimulating effect, you feel cheerful but clear-headed. A larger amount (4 of 5 teaspoons) can cause changes in your perception and eventually hallucinations.
• Use: The root can be chewed or you can use it to make tea. Leave 20 grammes of the root to draw for a while and then boil it in a half-litre of water. Strain and drink a couple of glasses. Alternatively you can dissolve a dessert spoonful of powdered root in a glass of hot water.
• Warning: None known, although a somewhat strange American experiment (rats were fed large amounts of Calamus-oil over a long period) suggested that the risk of cancer was enhanced. In practice, this has never been shown, not even with the North-American Indian tribes who traditionally use Sweet Flag as a stimulant and also to improve oral hygiene.

• prices:
• 25 gr. € 2,50
• 50 gr. € 4,00
• 100 gr. € 6,50