Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Heart, Spleen and Stomach
Extraordinary Vessels: Yin Wei
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Opens the Orifices, vaporizes Phlegm, removes filth, calms the Spirit and disperses Wind
Phlegm-Dampness Veiling and Blocking the Sensory Orifices with deafness, dizziness, forgetfulness, dulled senses, and seizures or stupor
Wind-Phlegm with seizures or stupor
- Transforms turbid Dampness, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, awakens the Spleen and promotes the movement of Qi
Dampness Distressing the Spleen and Stomach with chest and epigastric fullness and abdominal fullness and pain due to Dampness and Turbidity Obstructing the Middle Jiao
- Promotes Blood flow, reduces swelling and alleviates Wind-Damp Bi and sores (internally and topically)
Wind-Cold-Damp Bi Sores (internally and topically)
Trauma
- Benefits the throat
Hoarse voice due to laryngitis or inflammation of the vocal cords
- Kills Parasites and expels Demons
Gu Sydnrome (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, improve memory, prevent confusion and prolong life. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
Suggested Daily Dosage: 5-10g in decoction.
Cautions: Avoid high doses for long periods due to β-asarone content (see below).
Notable Constituents:
- β-asarone
Phenylpropanoid present in all acorus species making up approx. 80% of the volatile content (Yang et al, 2017) with antidepressant (Zhang et al, 2019), neuroprotective (Lam et al, 2017; Liu et al, 2016) and antitumour effects (Wu et al, 2015; Qi et al, 2015), but also with potentially carcinogenic (in rats) and genotoxic (in humans) properties.
Frequently used as a flavour enhancer in food, maximum daily dosages have been recommended by the EU Scientific Committee on Food Safety (2002) but it's use in herbal medicine is not mentioned in the report, nor has its use in herbal medicines been positively linked with any toxicity. It is still advisable to use caution if using high doses for long periods, especially if the patient also consumes a lot of products containing calamus oil such as bitters, liqueurs, vermouth, cakes, desserts, yoghurts and confectionery. Alternatively decocting for 1-2 hours will neutralise this component (Chen, Spriano & Meier, 2009) but may also affect its therapeutic efficacy.
- α-asarone
Trans-isomer of asarone making approx. 4% total volatile content with anticonvulsant and a GABA modulation properties.
Notes:
In Ayurvedic medicine Acorus calamus, known as Vacha बच, is used but has similar indications to this species in Chinese medicine.
Appears in 29 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan (Arborvitae Seed Pill to Nourish the Heart)
From: Compilation of Materials of Benevolence for the Body (1549)
Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin (Tokoro Drink to Separate the Clear from the Turbid)
From: Yang Family Formulas (1178) by Yang Tan
Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin (Tokoro Drink to Separate the Clear from the Turbid)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Bu Qi Yang Xue Jiu (Fortify Qi and Nourish Blood Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Di Huang Yin Zi (Rehmannia Drink)
From: Comprehensive Recording of Sagely Beneficence from the Zhenghe Era (1117) by Song Imperial Court
Di Tan Tang (Scour Out Phlegm Decoction)
From: Fine Formulas of Wonderful Efficacy (1470)
Dian Zhu Wan (Lightning Pearl Pills)
From: Classical Pearls by Heiner Fruehauf (2025)
Ding Xian Wan (Arrest Seizures Pill)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Ding Zhi Wan (Settle the Emotions Pill)
From: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces by Sun Si Miao (650)
Ding Zhi Wan (Settle the Emotions Pill)
From: Yang Family Formulas (1178) by Yang Tan
Ding Zhi Wan (Settle the Emotions Pill)
From: Wondrous Lantern for Peering into the Origin and Development of Miscellaneous Diseases (1773) by Shen Jin-Ao
Er Dong Er Di Jiu (Two Winters Two Earths Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Er Long Zuo Ci Wan (Pill for Deafness that is Kind to the Left (Kidney))
From: Discussion of Warm Epidemics (1642) by Wu You-Xing / You-Ke
Fu Ling Ju Hua Jiu (Poria and Chrysanthemum Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Gan Lu Xiao Du Dan (Sweet Dew Special Pill to Eliminate Toxin)
From: Secretly Transmitted Effective Medicine (1831)
Huan Shao Dan (Rejuvenation Special Pill)
From: Hong's Collection of Experimental Formulas (1170)
Jia Jian Da Yuan Yin (Modified Reach the Source Drink)
From: Warp and Weft of Warm Diseases by Wang Shi-Xiong / Wang Meng-Ying (1852)
Kong Sheng Zhen Zhong Dan (Special Pill from Confucius' Pillow)
From: Important Formulas Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces by Sun Si Miao (650)
Ku Shen Tang (Sophora Root Wash)
From: Collected Experiences on Treating Sores (1806) by Gao Bing-Jun
Lian Po Yin (Coptis and Magnolia Drink)
From: Discussion of Sudden Turmoil Disorders (1862) by Wang Shi-Xiong
Que Lao Jiu (Step Back from Old Age Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Run Zao Shen Shi Tang (Moisten Dryness and Leech Out Dampness Decoction)
From: Bases of Medicine (1861) by Shi Shou-Tang
Sang Piao Xiao San (Mantis Egg-Case Powder)
From: Extension of the Materia Medica (1116)
Shen Xi Dan (Magical Rhinoceros Special Pill)
From: Warp and Weft of Warm Diseases by Wang Shi-Xiong / Wang Meng-Ying (1852)
Sheng Tie Luo Yin (Iron Filings Drink)
From: Awakening of the Mind in Medical Studies by Cheng Guo-Peng (1732)
Suan Zao Ren Shi Mian Yu (Sour Jujube Seed Insomnia Bath)
From: Shen-nong.com
Yang Rong Jiu (Nourish the Constructive Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Yi Shou Jiu (Boosting Longevity Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various
Zhen Gan Fu Sui Tang (Liver Settling Successful Recovery Decoction)
From: Ten Lectures on the Use of Formulas from the Personal Experience of Jiao Shu-De by Jiao Shu-De (2005)
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
