Calamus.

Newsgroup: alt.folklore.herbs
From: cdeleo.lamar.ColoState.EDU (Claire DeLeo)
Date: 12 Feb 1996 21:35:51 -0700
Subject: Re: Calamus info wanted

: : Any one know what Calamus is ? Its a plant used in Chinesses medicine.
: I don't know what it is, what it's used for, or what tradition it comes from, but there's a calamus root (Acorus calamus) listed

Acorus calamus is also called sweet flag, and is a traditional herb among some Native American tribes, especially the plains tribes. The plant kind of looks like a cattail and grows in the same type of habitat. The root is used internally for sore throats and colds. Singers chew on it to help their voices. It is very strong, and personally, I can't tolerate chewing on it.

From: odco.xmission.com (Jim Johansen)

: Any one know what Calamus is? Its a plant used in Chinesses medicine.

A local herbalist once told me that Calamus acorus (sweet flag) is used in smoking cessation. He said that if one chews the root, they will find the taste of tobacco intolerable. Personally, I find the taste of sweet flag intolerable.