CALAMUS
Acore Calame, Acore Odorant, Acore Olorant, Acore Roseau, Acorus americanus, Acorus asiaticus, Acorus calamus, Acorus gramineus, Acorus Roseau, Acorus tatarinowii, Acorus terrestris, Aruna, Bach, Bajai, Baje, Belle-Angélique, Bhutanashini, Cálamo, Calamo Aromatic, Calamus Root, Cinnamon Sedge, Flag Root, Flagroot, Gladdon, Golomi, Grass-Leaf Sweetflag, Grass Myrtle, Ikshuparni, Jatila, Kalmoeswortel, Kalmus, Lomasha, Myrtle Flag, Myrtle Sedge, Sadgrantha, Shadgrandha, Shatvarvika, Shi Chang Pu, Sweet Calomel, Sweet Calamus, Sweet Cane, Sweet Cinnamon, Sweet Flag, Sweet Grass, Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Root, Sweet Rush, Sweet Sedge, Ugragandha, Vach, Vacha, Vachha, Vadaja, Vaj, Vasa, Vash, Vashambu, Vayambu, Vayambur, Vekhand, Waan-Nam.<br/><br/>
Uses & Effectiveness
Insufficient Evidence for
- Ulcers.
- Gas.
- Upset stomach.
- Colic.
- Increasing appetite.
- Arthritis.
- Headache.
- Memory problems.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Earache.
- Strokes.
- Skin disorders.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects & Safety
Calamus is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth. 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-asarone. However, the amount of beta-asarone can vary widely among species from 0% to 96%, so some products may be safer than others. The most common side effect to calamus is vomiting although fast heart rate and slowed intestinal movements have also been reported.Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Calamus is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Avoid use.Heart conditions: Calamus might lower blood pressure and heart rate. In theory, large amounts of calamus might worsen heart problems in some people with heart conditions.
Low blood pressure: Calamus might lower blood pressure. In theory, taking calamus might make blood pressure become too low in people with low blood pressure.
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.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
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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.<nb>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.<nb>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.<nb>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.<nb>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.<nb>Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
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.
REFERENCES:
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- Pandit S, Mukherjee PK, Ponnusankar S, Venkatesh M, Srikanth N. Metabolism mediated interaction of a-asarone and Acorus calamus with CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. Fitoterapia 2011;82(3):369-74. View abstract.
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- Rajput SB, Tonge MB, Karuppayil SM. An overview on traditional uses and pharmacological profile of Acorus calamus Linn. (Sweet flag) and other Acorus species. Phytomedicine 2014;21(3):268-76 View abstract.
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- Shoba, F. G. and Thomas, M. Study of antidiarrhoeal activity of four medicinal plants in castor-oil induced diarrhoea. J Ethnopharmacol 2001;76(1):73-76. View abstract.
- Vijayapandi P, Annabathina V, SivaNagaSrikanth B, et al. In vitro anticholinergic and antihistaminic activities of Acorus calamus Linn. leaves extracts. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 2012;10(1):95-101. View abstract.
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