Herbal Garden QR Page – Plant Information Template
PLANT ID: MVRAMC/HG/000
1. Basic Plant Information
Common Name: Sweet Flag
Botanical Name: Acorus calamus
Family: Acoraceae
2. Quick Introduction
It is an aromatic rhizomatous herb traditionally used in the management of cognitive disorders and speech disabilities in infants and children. It is also widely used in the management of insanity and mental health disorders.
3. Traditional Names
Sanskrit: वचा
Malayalam: വയമ്പ്
Hindi: बच
Tamil: Vasambu
English: Sweet Flag
Bosonym: The drug is used to improve voice.
Synonyms: Ugragandha, Jatila, Sataparvika, Golomi, Shadgrandha
4. Botanical Description
Distribution and Habitat
Native Region: Central Asia and Eastern Europe
Distribution in India: Indigenous to the marshes of the mountains of India
Global Distribution: Usually cultivated at altitudes of about 2,200 m
Plant Type: Herb
Life Span: Perennial
Morphology
Habit: Semi-evergreen perennial herb that can grow up to 2 m high
Root Characteristics: Hairy roots arranged in the scars of the rhizome
Stem Characteristics: Modified into underground rhizome with multiple nodes, with ‘V’-shaped scars
Leaf Description: Linear, sword-shaped, bright green, arranged alternately
Inflorescence: Spadix-like inflorescence with small, yellow-green flowers
Fruit / Seed: Rarely formed, berry-like fruits. Tiny oblong seeds.
Distinct Identification Features: Characteristic aroma of the rhizome. Rhizome is extensively branched and up to 3 cm in diameter. Pale yellow to pinkish-brown on the outside and whitish or sometimes slightly pinkish inside.
Varieties
- Parasika vacha
- Mahabhari vacha (Kulanjana)
- Dvipanthara vacha
- Sthula granthi (B.Pr.Ni)
- Vacha and Swetha Vacha — 2 types per Caraka Samhita
5. Parts Used in Medicine
Kandha — Rhizome
6. Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa (Taste): Katu, Tikta
Guna (Qualities): Laghu, Tiksna
Virya (Potency): Usna
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Katu
Effect on Doshas: Kaphavatahara
7. Medicinal Uses (Ayurveda / Traditional Medicine)
Karma: Lekhaniya (Sarngadharokta)
Prabhavaja: Medhya Rasayana
Pradhana Karma: Swarya
Anyakarma: Deepana, Pachana, Swarya, Kantya, Krimighna, Sthulahara, Sulahara, Vamani
Rogagnatha: Unmada, Apasmara, Jwara, Swarasada, Krimighna, Vibandha, Sula
Properties: Carminative, Vermifuge, Tranquilizer, Sedative
8. Chemical Constituents
Alpha and beta-asarone, Calamenene, Eugenol, Asarone, Acorine alkaloids, Acorin glycoside
9. Traditional Preparations
Churna, Swarasa
10. Major Ayurvedic Formulations
Saraswatharishtam, Vachadi Churnam, Rajanyadi Churna, Vachadi Ghritam, Ashtanga Ghritam, Kolakulathadi Churnam, Manasamitravatakam
11. Dosage
Samana: 125 mg – 500 mg
Vamana: 1 g – 3 g
12. Modern Research Insights
Neuroprotective, anti-epileptic, anti-depressant, and cognition-enhancing effects in models of neurodegenerative and metabolic disease.
13. Cultivation Information
Propagated vegetatively by rhizome pieces; planted in shallow water or waterlogged fields with rich loamy or clay soil, in full sun to partial shade.
14. Ecological Importance
Vacha is a pioneering species in wetland habitats, developing dense colonies of creeping rhizomes that help stabilize soil along riverbanks, lakes, and ponds.
15. Conservation Status
IUCN Status: Least Concern (but regulated due to β-asarone content)
16. Safety and Precautions
High β-asarone doses in animals are associated with hepatotoxic, convulsant, and carcinogenic effects. In humans, overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bradycardia, and CNS depression or excitation.
17. Image References
Please upload high-quality images of:
- Whole plant
- Rhizome
- Leaf
- Flower
- Fruit
18. Source References
- Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
- Indian Medicinal Plants — Kirthikar and Basu
- Wealth of India