Evidence supporting the use of: Sweet flag
For the body system: Sinuses

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Sweet flag (Acorus calamus) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and various folk remedies. In these systems, sweet flag rhizome has been used to address ailments related to the respiratory tract and sinuses, such as congestion, coughs, and sinusitis. The plant is thought to have expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, which are believed to help clear nasal passages and support sinus health.

Despite its traditional uses, modern scientific research on sweet flag’s effects on the sinuses is limited. Most available studies have focused on other potential benefits, such as cognitive function and digestive health. Some laboratory studies have demonstrated antimicrobial activity of sweet flag extracts, which could theoretically contribute to its traditional use for sinus issues; however, direct clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for sinus health in humans is lacking.

It is worth noting that sweet flag contains β-asarone, a compound that has shown toxicity in some animal studies and is regulated or banned in certain countries. Therefore, while sweet flag’s use for sinus support is well documented in traditional medicine, there is insufficient scientific validation to strongly recommend its use for this purpose.

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