Calamus Essential Oil
January 14, 2011 | Posted in: Herbs & Essential Oils
Source: India
Distillation: Steam distillation
Note: From wild harvested roots
Botannical Name: Acorus calamus
Used in many cultures around the world; used as a biblical anointing oil; and used extensively by Native American tribes, including Pawnee, Lakota, Cheyenne, Cree, Penobscot, Mohegan, Osage, Omaha, Potawatomi, Dakota, and Algonquin. It was considered so valuable that it became a primary trade commodity. The dried rhizome was officially listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1916 and in the National Formulary from 1936 to 1950. Doctors prescribed it for indigestion, stomach ailments, and gas, and as a general tonic. It has been used all over the world as a main ingredient in “Bitters”, to relieve stomach cramps and indigestion.
It is an adrenal stimulant, relieves vertigo and sinus headaches, and is thought to enhance brain function and mind power. For this reason, it can be taken in a semi-homeopathic dilution and should be combined with honey.
It is important to respect dosage and dilution levels for calamus root, as it can contain asarone in fairly substantial amounts which may create toxicity. For this reason, it should only be used as a topical application, or diluted into semi-homeopathic dosages for internal use.
As a massage oil, it is very effective for relieving the pain of gout, rheumatism, and arthritis, and for stimulating lymphatic drainage. It blends very well with ginger, yarrow, lemon, orange, and cedarwood.
Go ahead.