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Ayurvedic Properties
Sweet flag is bitter and pungent in taste (rasa), pungent in post digestive effect (vipaka) and has hot potency (virya). It has a special effect (prabhava) as a nervine tonic (medhya). It alleviates kapha and vata doshas but aggravates pitta dosha. It is fragrant, emetic, appetising, deflatulent and anti epileptic in properties
Sweet flag is one of the most renowned herbs used for the rejuvenation of the brain and the nervous system. In Sanskrit, vacha, literally means speaking. Sweet flag (Botanical – Acorus calamus, Hindi – Bach) grows all over India in areas elevated upto 5.000 feet, in marshes and is also cultivated. It is a strongly aromatic, semi-aquatic perennial herb with a ginger-like stem, which spreads in the ground. This rhizome part of Sweet flag is of medicinal use.
Sweet flag has been described as bitter and pungent in taste and hot and light in effect. It alleviates kapha and vata but aggravates pitta. Dry rhizomes of Sweet flag contain a yellow aromatic oil that is volatile in nature. It also has a bitter glycocide, known as acorin.
In the ayurvedic system of medicine, Sweet flag is used as a nervine tonic and anti-stammering drug. Experimental studies have shown that it is a potent psycho-pharmacological agent, having a positive effect on the memory and the learning process. Many ancient texts have described Sweet flag as an anti-epileptic and anti-hysteric herb. It also known to possess carminative, digestive, diuretic and mildly sedative properties.
Sweet flag can be used as a household remedy for many ailments. Some of its common uses are as under:
Taken with warm water, half-a-pinch of Sweet flag powder works well in loss of appetite, flatulence, distaste, dull abdominal pain and worms. It is a herb of choice to be used in case of loud eructations also.
Combine the powders of Sweet flag, shankhpushpi and brahmi in equal amounts. Half-a-teaspoonful of this powder, mixed with one teaspoonful of honey, if taken daily, is a good adjunct in case of epilepsy and mental retardation.
Powder of Sweet flag and white sandal is a very effective face pack in the treatment of blemishes and pimples.
In many Indian homes, customarily Sweet flag is administered with honey in minute quantities to infants on the 11th and 21st day of birth. It is believed that this practice makes the child mentally active and talkative.
Some classic Ayurvedic formulation like sarswatarishta and sarswata churna, where Sweet flag is used as chief ingredient, are used for the promotion of memory and also in treatment of psychiatric problems. Taken by itself, an average dose of Sweet flag powder is usually 125 mg to 500 mg. Overdose can induce vomiting. In the market, two or three varieties of Sweet flag are available. The best variety is known as ghorha Sweet flag.
Dosage and method of administration
1-2 gms. twice a day with honey or water.
Contraindications
Sweet flag should be used sparingly by people with pitta constitution. Large doses of Sweet flag may induce vomiting.
Antidote Fresh lemon juice and fennel seeds act as antidotes against the emetic effects of Sweet flag.
Vacha Capsules and Powder is available online.
Sweet flag is bitter and pungent in taste (rasa), pungent in post digestive effect (vipaka) and has hot potency (virya). It has a special effect (prabhava) as a nervine tonic (medhya). It alleviates kapha and vata doshas but aggravates pitta dosha. It is fragrant, emetic, appetising, deflatulent and anti epileptic in properties
Sweet flag is one of the most renowned herbs used for the rejuvenation of the brain and the nervous system. In Sanskrit, vacha, literally means speaking. Sweet flag (Botanical – Acorus calamus, Hindi – Bach) grows all over India in areas elevated upto 5.000 feet, in marshes and is also cultivated. It is a strongly aromatic, semi-aquatic perennial herb with a ginger-like stem, which spreads in the ground. This rhizome part of Sweet flag is of medicinal use.
Sweet flag has been described as bitter and pungent in taste and hot and light in effect. It alleviates kapha and vata but aggravates pitta. Dry rhizomes of Sweet flag contain a yellow aromatic oil that is volatile in nature. It also has a bitter glycocide, known as acorin.
In the ayurvedic system of medicine, Sweet flag is used as a nervine tonic and anti-stammering drug. Experimental studies have shown that it is a potent psycho-pharmacological agent, having a positive effect on the memory and the learning process. Many ancient texts have described Sweet flag as an anti-epileptic and anti-hysteric herb. It also known to possess carminative, digestive, diuretic and mildly sedative properties.
Sweet flag can be used as a household remedy for many ailments. Some of its common uses are as under:
Taken with warm water, half-a-pinch of Sweet flag powder works well in loss of appetite, flatulence, distaste, dull abdominal pain and worms. It is a herb of choice to be used in case of loud eructations also.
Combine the powders of Sweet flag, shankhpushpi and brahmi in equal amounts. Half-a-teaspoonful of this powder, mixed with one teaspoonful of honey, if taken daily, is a good adjunct in case of epilepsy and mental retardation.
Powder of Sweet flag and white sandal is a very effective face pack in the treatment of blemishes and pimples.
In many Indian homes, customarily Sweet flag is administered with honey in minute quantities to infants on the 11th and 21st day of birth. It is believed that this practice makes the child mentally active and talkative.
Some classic Ayurvedic formulation like sarswatarishta and sarswata churna, where Sweet flag is used as chief ingredient, are used for the promotion of memory and also in treatment of psychiatric problems. Taken by itself, an average dose of Sweet flag powder is usually 125 mg to 500 mg. Overdose can induce vomiting. In the market, two or three varieties of Sweet flag are available. The best variety is known as ghorha Sweet flag.
It is even observed that if Sweet flag(vacha) taken regularly with honey
can have the ability to cure stammering/stuttering problem permanently.
Dosage and method of administration
1-2 gms. twice a day with honey or water.
Contraindications
Sweet flag should be used sparingly by people with pitta constitution. Large doses of Sweet flag may induce vomiting.
Antidote Fresh lemon juice and fennel seeds act as antidotes against the emetic effects of Sweet flag.
Vacha Capsules and Powder is available online.
Indian Sweet Flag or Vacha is safe to use whereas American Sweet Flag is considered to be Carcinogenic and hence should only be used externally.
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