VASAMBU – SWEET FLAG /வசம்பு (वच)/ACORUS CALAMUS

🌿 Vasambu – Product Description

Common Name: Vasambu / Sweet Flag
Botanical Name: Acorus calamus
Family: Acoraceae
Plant Part Used: Rhizome (underground stem) – usually dried and used in sticks or powdered form

Form Available:

• Dried rhizome sticks (known as “Vasambu”)

Taste (Rasa): Bitter and pungent
Energy (Virya): Heating
Post-digestive Effect (Vipaka): Pungent

Fragrance: Strong, spicy, woody aroma with a slightly sweet undertone

✅ Health Benefits of Vasambu

1. Digestive Aid (Especially for Infants)

• Traditionally tied to babies’ hands to develop digestive strength

• Treats colic, indigestion, vomiting, and flatulence

• Used in infant massage oils and baby powders

2. Improves Speech and Memory

• Believed to stimulate the nervous system, enhance speech clarity, and support memory power

• Used in Siddha formulations for developmental delay and speech therapy in children

3. Relieves Respiratory Issues

• Effective in managing cold, asthma, bronchitis, and cough

• Clears phlegm and opens respiratory channels

4. Antimicrobial and Antiseptic

• Acts as a natural insect repellent

• Applied to skin for wound healing, itching, and skin infections

• Burnt vasambu is used to disinfect homes naturally

5. Anti-epileptic and Nervine Tonic

• Used in traditional systems to calm the mind

• Supports those with epilepsy, nervous disorders, and mental fatigue

6. Oral Health

• Dried stick used as a natural toothbrush

• Freshens breath and helps treat mouth ulcers

📛 Other Common Names for Vasambu

⚠️ Precautions

• Should be used in small, controlled amounts

• Not recommended during pregnancy without expert advice

• Avoid oral overconsumption – large doses can be toxic

• FDA has restricted the use of certain varieties of Acorus calamus in large doses due to concerns over *beta-asarone content (carcinogenic in high amounts)