Sweet flag (or calamus root) is a plant and an herb.

• botanical information
• part used
• astrological correspondences
• magick correspondences and uses
• essential oil
• health care
• Ayurvedic herbalism
• cautions and contraindications

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Acorus calamus

    Common name: calamus, sweet flag

    Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.

part used:

Part Used (calamus root): The rhizome, dried and chopped or ground. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

astrological correspondences:

    Astrological planet: Moon

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Gender: feminine (traditional western European magickal gender)

    Lunar spells: Sweet flag, or calamus, (as an herb) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to lunar matters (compassion, dreams, family, fertility, gardening, healing, love, peace, promoting sleep, prophecy, prophetic (or psychic) dreams), psychic awareness, sleep, and spirituality). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on the Moon for a list of herbal substitutes for sweet flag.

    Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.

Magical Uses Small pieces of this root are carried to bring luck. Also, the powdered root is often used in spells for healing, either as an incense or in a sachet. Ruling Element: Water. Luck, Healing, Money, Protection information courtesy of

essential oil:

    Safety Information: Calamus essential oil (Acorus calamus var. angustatus) is hazardous and should not be used in aromatherapy, ingested, or come in contact with the skin.

    Using essential oils: Essential oils are just too concentrated and too expensve to use without dilution. If you purchase pure essential oil from a source such as Mountain Rose, you will want to place just a drop or two into a neutral carrier vegetable oil or jojoba. This conservation is typical of the use of essential oils in spells and other magick. It is wise to test a bit of any essential oil on your inner wrist before use. If any irritation occurs, do not use the essential oil. Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets and away from heat and light. See the article on essential oils for detailed information on how to mix and use essential oils.

health care uses:

    Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.

traditional medicine:

    Traditional Medicine: While many traditional practices have been scientifically verified, some are now known to be dangerous. Seek the advice of qualified health care providers.

Ayurvedic herbalism:

    Ayurvedic Doshas: VK- P+ Vata decreases; Kapha; decreasesPitta increases. (calamus root)

    For more information, see the article on Ayurvedic medicine.

herbal healing:

Traditionally used as a tea. The varieties of calamus [sweetflag] available in the United States and Canada are best used as bath additives, gargles, lotions, or washes, unless they are used in combination with other herbs in Chinese or Ayurvedic medicine. In Chinese medicine, calamus is used with platycodon to treat laryngitis, turmeric to treat deafness, magnolia to treat any kind of chest congestion, and mixed with lychii fruit and chrysanthemum flowers to make a tea to be soled for use as an eyewash. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

cautions and contraindications:

    Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Some plants can be toxic just by touch. Even experts can make deadly misidentifications of wild plants. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).

For external use only. Its internal use as a medicinal herbal product should only be administered by someone with experience in using this botanical. The FDA strictly prohibits the use of Calamus in food products. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs

    Essential oil warning: Calamus essential oil (Acorus calamus var. angustatus) is hazardous and should not be used in aromatherapy, ingested, or come in contact with the skin.

See also: herbs.

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