Health Benefits
Sweet flag – we encounter it quite often in our daily life, but most of us don’t know how many benefits sweet flag has.
Depression
Inflammation
Hormone balance and production
Epilepsy and Nervous System
Nervine and memory enhancer
Circulation
Metabolism
Sleep Aid
Stomach disorders
Combats Tobacco Addiction
Mouth health
Cough & Fever
Skin disorders
Respiratory system
Depression
The effects that this herb can have on the nervous system are well known and proven, so for those who do suffer from psychological disorders or depression, drinking calamus tea from the rhizome (root) can be very helpful.
Inflammation
Topical application of this herb’s essential oil can quickly relieve pain and discomfort in the muscles and joints, making it a favorite natural remedy for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, headaches, migraines or gout, among other common inflammatory conditions. Small piece of sweet flag is ground as paste and somewhat heated. Then this warm paste is applied externally on painful places.
Hormone balance and production
With dozens of different volatile oils and antioxidants, this plant can provide a major boost to your hormone regulation and production, leading to a better balance of your hormones, which can help with everything from mood and sex drive to menstrual regularity and energy production.
Epilepsy and Nervous System
In traditional medicine, this herb was often used to treat disorders of the nervous system, including epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease. While this herb doesn’t provide a cure or a lasting treatment for these complex problems, it can treat the symptoms quite effectively.
Nervine and memory enhancer
This oil helps in improving the sensory systems and mind. This nervine quality of this oil also prevents epileptic fits, hysteric attacks, and reduces stress in the body. Also, it is able to boost the quality of memory, particularly to those people who experienced a brain injury or have lost memory due to aging, trauma or any other reason.
Circulation
Calamus root helps to stimulate the blood circulation. It is useful if you have pain and swelling which is related with rheumatism, arthritis, and gout.
Metabolism
By speeding up the metabolism, calamus can aid in weight loss efforts, as well as the healing process within the body following injury or illness.
Sleep Aid
Drinking a mild cup of this tea before bed can help you to relax and have a restful night.
Stomach disorders
Sweet flag gives instant relief in stomach problems. It clears a swollen and uncomfortable stomach and also relieves headache related with weak digestion. It clears flatulence, diarrhea, and colic and increases appetite. Sweet flag root is burnt and ground as a paste in coconut oil and is applied on belly in cases of pain. It has been found useful in treating anorexia, gastritis and gastric ulcers.
Combats Tobacco Addiction
Habit of smoking and chewing tobacco is not easy to break, but with calamus root, getting rid of this unhealthy addiction may not seem that difficult. This is because chewing the calamus root can create a dislike for the taste of tobacco. Also, chewing or smoking tobacco often leaves you with bad breath. Chewing the root can also help eliminate the odor of tobacco.
Mouth health
Sweet flag is useful to treat mouth ulcers, bad odors, coating and rawness of tongue causes by inflammation. Small piece of sweet flag can be rubbed on the tongue. Ayurveda considers it as an anesthetic for toothache.
Cough & Fever
Along with decoction of licorice root, it has positive impacts upon cough, fever and colic in children. For dry cough, one should chew its root. When a small piece of Sweet Flag is chewed for few minutes, it gives relief to sore-throat. In a nutshell, Sweet Flag clears the respiratory channels and removes the obstructions helping your lungs function in their full capacity.
Skin disorders
Paste of sweet flag can be applied externally in cases of skin disorders like eczema, ringworm, scabies and as a general aid in wound healing. In India, it is used as vaginal disinfectant.
Respiratory system
It is effective against asthma, sinusitis and chronic bronchitis. The herb is a broncho-dilator and acts as a chest decongestant.