CALAMUS Overview Information
Calamus is a plant. The root (rhizome) is used to make medicine.
Despite safety concerns, calamus is used for gastrointestinal (GI) problems including ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), intestinal gas (flatulence), upset stomach and loss of appetite (anorexia). Calamus is also used as a calming medicine (sedative), to induce sweating, and to treat rheumatoid arthritis and stroke.
Some people chew calamus to remove the smell of tobacco, as a stimulant, to increase their sense of well-being, and as a hallucinogen.
Some people apply calamus directly to the skin to treat certain skin diseases.
In foods, calamus is used as a spice.
How does it work?
It is thought that chemicals in calamus cause muscle relaxation and sedation.
CALAMUS Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Ulcers.
- Gas.
- Upset stomach.
- Appetite stimulation.
- Arthritis.
- Strokes.
- Skin disorders.
- Other conditions.
CALAMUS Side Effects & Safety
Calamus is UNSAFE when taken by mouth. It can cause kidney damage, shaking, and seizures.
The FDA prohibits calamus use in food products because three of the four species of calamus found in the world contain a cancer–causing chemical called beta-isoasarone. However, the beta-isoasarone content can vary widely among species from 0% to 96%. Some products may be safer than others.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Calamus is UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Avoid use.Surgery: Calamus can affect the central nervous system. It might cause too much sleepiness if combined with medications used during and after surgery. If you are using calamus despite safety concerns, stop using it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
CALAMUS Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical might increase the side effects of some medications used for depression.
Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others. - Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking calamus along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.
Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
Minor Interaction Be watchful with this combination
- Antacids interacts with CALAMUS
Antacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Calamus may increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, calamus might decrease the effectiveness of antacids.
Some antacids include calcium carbonate (Tums, others), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids, others), magaldrate (Riopan), magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), and others. - Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-Blockers) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, calamus might decrease the effectiveness of some medications that decrease stomach acid, called H2-Blockers.
Some medications that decrease stomach acid include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid). - Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with CALAMUS
Calamus might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, calamus might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease stomach acid, called proton pump inhibitors.
Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
CALAMUS Dosing
The appropriate dose of calamus depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for calamus. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
