Sweet Flag (वचा):-
Sweet flag is an herb that is commonly used in Ayurveda and Siddha mainly for its direct action on the central nervous system. It is called as ‘Vacha’ in Sanskrit due to its effectiveness in improving speech. It is a good nervine tonic and also clarifies voice. Ayurvedic textbooks have clearly explained the purification procedures ( Shodhana) of Sweet flag, after which the therapeutic utility of the herb improves. Recent researches regarding the same have proved that these methodologies used for purification of the herb (mentioned in the classical Ayurvedic texts) are powerful enough to suppress the toxicity (due to the presence of asarone) of the herb1
| Botanical Name | Acorus calamus |
| Family | Araceae |
| English Name | Sweet Flag |
| Sanskrit Name | Vacha, Go-lomi |
| Tamil Name | வசம்பு, Vasambu |
| Malayalam Name | വയമ്പ്, Vayambu |
| Part Used | Rhizome |
Therapeutic attributes or Rasa Panchaka:
| Initial taste(Rasa) | Pungent( Katu) |
| Quality(Guna) | Light( Laghu), Sharp( Teekshna) |
| Heating or cooling effect(veerya) | Heating effect( Ushna) |
| Post digestive effect(Vipaka) | Pungent(Katu) |
| Special action(Prabhava) | increases intelligence(Medya) |
Medicinal Uses:
The powdered rhizome of Sweet Flag is effective in neurological2 diseases like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease1,2, and other related conditions like stress, anxiety, increased blood pressure, etc. It can be used as a pain killer3(analgesic) for headaches and in Arthritis. It relieves muscular spasms and related pain (anti-spasmodial) by blocking calcium channel receptors) therefore helpful for sportsmen and athletes.
The herb improves cognitive capacity4 and speech. Sweet flag enhances wound healing5 and prevents infection (anti-microbial action9). In appropriate doses it expels out worms from the intestines (anti-helmenthic property.) It is used as an emetic agent (Vaamaka dravya) in Ayurveda. However the dose has to be fixed only by a Physician having excellence in performing the five Purification procedures (Pancha Karma).The herb is also known to control diarrhea8 and is a famous remedy for respiratory disorders like Asthma , due to the presence of airway relaxant constituents 9. Moreover it can be given for Diabetes and Cholesterol without causing any side effects9.
Chemical constituents:
Alpha and βeta-asarone,Calacone,Acorin, Starch and Tannin.
Commonly Used formulations containing Sweet flag:
1) Dashanga Agada
2) Brahmi Ghrita
3) Hinguvachadi choorna
4) Chandra prabha Vati
Home remedies:
1) In India a combination of processed sweet flag, gold and honey are given to children in very small doses, to increase their immunity and intelligence (called as Lehana in Sanskrit and ‘Urai marunthu’ in Tamil.
Moreover since the herb is administered after being burnt, the carbon in it helps in maintaining the oral hygiene of the infant.
2) Powdered rhizome of Sweet flag and honey can be given to bring clarity to the voice.
3) In Chronic cold, the fumes of the rhizome can be inhaled.
4) Powdered Rhizome of Sweet flag along with honey can be given for epileptic patients.
Disclaimer:
We have tried to provide the essence of the Vedas and Ayurveda Scriptures by interpreting meaning of the text in English through research & investigation. We have used the modern terminologies & technical words of the latest science to give the readers a better understanding and assimilation. If found any errors, kindly bear with us & help us rectify.
Kindly request you not to get into self medication with minimal knowledge, always consult a physician before any medication.
Sources and references:
1) A) Exploring the concept of vacha (ACORUS CALAMUS LINN.) Shodhana in Ayurveda.
B) Fate of β-asarone in Ayurvedic Shodhana process of Vacha.
2) Medicinal plants with a potential to treat Alzheimer and associated symptoms
by Anil Kumar Singhal, Vijay Naithani, Om Prakash Bangar
3) Analgesic and cytotoxic activity of Acorus calamus L., Kigelia pinnata L., Mangifera indica L. and Tabernaemontana divaricata L.
By Khan MA, Islam MT.
4) In vitro acetylcholine esterase inhibitory activity of the essential oil from Acorus calamus and its main constituents by Pulok Kumar Mukherjee,Venketesan Kumar,Mainak Mal,Peter Houghton
5)Evaluation of wound-healing activity of Acorus calamus Linn.
By Nilesh Jaina*, Ruchi Jaina , Arti Jainb , Deepak Kumar Jainc and H.S. Chande
6) Sushrutha Samhita, Charaka Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya
7) Heritage Amruth
8) Study of antidiarrhoeal activity of four medicinal plants in castor-oil induced diarrhea
By F.Gricilda Shoba, Molly Thomas
9)International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences –“A REVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGY OF ACORUS CALAMUS – AN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT” By G. Raviraja Shetty and G.M Shruthi
