Evidence supporting the use of: Calamus
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Calamus (Acorus calamus), also known as sweet flag, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is considered to have expectorant, bronchodilating, and mucolytic properties, and has been traditionally used to support respiratory health, including the relief of lung congestion and coughs. Historical texts and ethnobotanical records document its use as a remedy for various respiratory ailments, where it was often administered as a decoction, powder, or smoke inhalation to help clear phlegm from the lungs and ease breathing. However, scientific evidence supporting the use of calamus for lung congestion is very limited. There is a lack of robust clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly examining its efficacy for this purpose in humans. Most of the support for its use comes from anecdotal reports, traditional formulations, and historical usage rather than modern biomedical research. Additionally, it is important to note that certain varieties of calamus contain beta-asarone, a compound considered potentially carcinogenic and toxic, which has led to regulatory restrictions in some countries. In summary, the use of calamus for lung congestion is mainly based on traditional and historical practices, rather than on strong scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bee hive
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Evodia
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
European-Five Finger Grass
Fang-Feng
Flavoglycosides
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Guaco
Gallesia
Gardenia jasminoides
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Galangal
Heartsease
Hedyotis
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Calamus
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Addictions (general remedies for)
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Bronchitis
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cuts
Digestion (poor)
Ear Infection or Earache
Edema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Insomnia
Itching
Itching Ears
Jaundice (adults)
Liver Detoxification
Menstrual Irregularity
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Stress
Ulcers