Family : Araceae

English : Sweet flag

Hindi : Bacch, Gorbacch

Gujarati : Ghoda vaj

Sanskrit : Vacha

Part used : Rhizome

Botanical Description: A semi aquatic rhizomatous perrenial herb, rhizome creeping, much branched, cylinderical or slightly compressed, light brown or pinkish brown externally, white and spongy within, leaves bright green, distichous, ensiform, base wquitant, thickened in the middle, margins wavy, flowers light brown densely packed in sessile cylinderic spadix, fruits oblong turbinate berries with a pyramidal top; seeds few, pendant from the apex of the cells. Flowering and fruiting from Febuary to June. It is found throughout India in marshes and is also cultivated

Modern Pharmacological Action: Acorus calamus roots have significant anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant activity. It is said to possess Antimicrobial activity, Antioxidant activity and Insecticidal activity.