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 medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Native American herbal practices for the management of gastrointestinal complaints, including nausea and vomiting. In these traditions, various preparations of calamus rhizome have been used as a digestive stimulant and as a remedy for dyspepsia, colic, and emesis. The essential oil and other constituents of calamus are thought to have carminative and antiemetic properties according to these traditional sources.

However, scientific evidence validating the efficacy and safety of calamus for nausea and vomiting is limited and primarily based on animal models or in vitro studies, if at all. Furthermore, concerns regarding the toxicity of β-asarone, a compound found in some calamus varieties, have limited its acceptance and use in modern herbal medicine, especially in Western countries. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA have restricted its use in foods and medicines due to potential carcinogenicity. Overall, while calamus is traditionally used for nausea and vomiting, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to strongly support these uses, and safety concerns further limit its applicability.

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