
Vaj (Acorus calamus), also known as Sweet Flag, is a semi-aquatic, perennial herb commonly found in wetlands and marshy areas across India and many parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. It is well-regarded in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Unani for its wide range of health benefits. Vaj is prized for its strong, fragrant rhizomes and has long been used to cure respiratory and skin conditions, improve digestion, manage epilepsy, and improve memory.
Acorus calamus Scientific Name
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Angiosperms
- Class: Monocots
- Order: Acorales
- Family: Acoraceae
- Genus: Acorus
- Species: Acorus calamus
Acorus calamus Common Name
- English: Sweet Flag, Calamus
- Sanskrit: Vacha, Ugragandha
- Hindi: Vaj, Ghorvach
- Gujarati: Vaj
- Tamil: Vasambu
- Telugu: Vasa
- Malayalam: Vayambu
- Bengali: Boch
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Digestive and Gastrointestinal Support -  Serves as a carminative, digestive stimulant, and anthelmintic.
- Respiratory Care -  Beneficial in asthma, bronchitis, cough, and sinusitis by acting as an expectorant and decongestant.
- Skin and Hair Uses -  External application helps in treating eczema, skin infections, and wounds.
- Reproductive Health -  Used as an aphrodisiac and emmenagogue in traditional medicine.
References
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Govt. of India, Part I, Vol I, 2001.
Sharma, P.V. (2006). Dravyaguna Vigyan, Vol. 2, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy.
Khare, C.P. (2007). Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary, Springer.
European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2017). Assessment report on Acorus calamus L.
Council of Europe. (2010). European Pharmacopoeia, 7th Edition.
Maity, T.K., et al. (2000). "Studies on the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of Acorus calamus rhizome extract." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 72(1-2), 151–156.
Singh, R. & Sharma, P. (2003). "Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Acorus calamus Linn." Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 55(11), 1501–1506.
Bisset, N.G. (1994). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, CRC Press.