Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameVacha
Formal nameVaca
Other names　　　

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Bacha, Ghorbhacha (T), Bacha (B), Ghorbacha (H), Baje (K), Vayampu, Vashanpa (M), Vadaja (Te), Vashambu (Ta), Sudag (Ti), Wadakaha (Sin)
English nameSweet Flag, Calamus, Sweet Root
Original plant nameAcorus calamus Linn., Sweet Flag, Calamus, Sweet Root
Family nameAraceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification rhizome
Production area informationIndia, Mandya, Karnataka
Collection informationIndia, Udupi, Karnataka, U.Venkatesh Jogoppa Shanbhag & Sons
Collection date2011/09/16
CollectorKatsuko Komatsu, et al.
TMPW No.27482

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
12.5221567
76.90091910000001
Production area information
India,Mandya, Karnataka
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_san.png
13.3408807
74.74214269999993
Collection information
India,Udupi, Karnataka
https://ethmed.toyama-wakan.net/img/pin_nyu.png

Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Vaca, Sweet Flag, Calamus, Sweet Root
SynonymsUgragandha, Sadgrantha, Golomi, Sataparvika, Ksudrapatri, Mangalya, Jatila, Ugra, Lomasa, Raksoghni, Vijaya, Bhadra, Mangalya
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Original plant nameAcorus calamus Linn.
Family nameAraceae
Used partRhizome
Distribution areaThroughout India, wild or cultivated upto 2000m in Sikkim. Common in marshes in Kashmir, Manipur, and Nagaland.
RemarksCommon
Common usesThe drug has antispasmodic, antiinflammatory, carminative and anthelmintic properties and is used for the treatment of several diseases such as epilepsy, mental ailments, bronchial diseases, diarrhoea/diarrhea, dyspepsia, calculus, colic, abdominal distension, dysentery, kidney, liver disorders, rheumatism and eczema. It is used in the form of powder, balms, enemas, pills and ghee preparations.
Skin of the rhizome is haemostatic/hemostatic. Fresh rhizomes are chewed to prevent intoxication from alcohol. It improves blood circulation and is effective in treating swollen and rough skin. Smoke of the rhizome is used to protect wounds from infestation, pain, itching and inflammation.
Calamus oil from rhizomes is carminative, antispasmodic and antibacterial. It may have poisonous effect under certain conditions causing disturbed digestion and in severe cases gastro enteritis.
Therapeutic usesVibandha (block), Adhmana (distension of epigastrium), Sula (colic), Apasmara (epilespy), Unmada (mental disorders), Jantu (worms), Granthi (tumour/tumor), Sopha (oedema), Jvara (fever), Atisara (diarrhoea/diarrhea), Dantasula (toothache), Vatavalasa (arthritic conditions)
Chemical constituentSesquiterpenoids
Calamenone (*C1, *C9), Acorone (*C2), Acoronene (*C2), Isocalamendiol (*C2), 2-Hydroxyacorenone (*C2), 2-Acetoxyacorenone (*C2), Epiacorone (*C2), 1-Hydroxyepiacorone (*C2), Epiacoronene (*C2), 1-Hydroxyacoronene (*C2), Acorusdiol (*C2), Acorusnol (*C2), Calamensesquiterpinenol (*C8)

Diterpenoids
Tartarol (*C10), Tararoside (*C10)

Triterpenoid saponins
1beta, 2alpha, 3beta, 19alpha-Tetrahydroxyus-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-{-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)}-beta-D-galactopyranoside (*C7), 3beta, 22alpha, 24, 29-Tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-3-O-{-beta-D-arabinosyl (1→2)}-beta-D-arabinopyranoside (*C7)

Sterols
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol (*C13)

Phenylpropanoids
1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-Propane-1,2-dione (*C2), 1-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-Methoxy-propan-2-ol (*C2), Benzenemethanol, alpha-ethynyl-4-hydroxy-,alpha-acetate (*C13)

Xanthones
4,5,8-Trimethoxy-xanthone-2-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-2)-O-beta-galactopyranoside (*C6)

Other aromatic derivatives
Asarone (*C2, *C16), Asaraldehyde (*C2), beta-Asarone (*C3, C11, *C12), Z-Asarone (*C4, *C5), Asarylaldehyde (*C9)

Isoquinoline alkaloids
Tatarine A (*C15), Tatarine B (*C15), Tatarine C (*C15)

Other nitrogen containing compounds
Tataramide A (*C14), Tataramide B (*C14)

Chemical structure






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Pharmacological effectAntiinflammatory (rhizome), sedation (oil, asarone), hypotensive and hypothermic (asarone), anaesthetic (asarone, beta-asarone), anti-convulsive, anticholinergic, coccidiostatic activity (rhizome)
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Virya (Potency)Usna (Hot)
Guna (Quality)Ruksa (Dry)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Katu (Pungent)
Prabhava
(Special action)		Medhya (good for intellect)
Karma
(General action)		Vantikrt (induces vomiting), Vahnikrt (improving digestive fire), Medhya (good for intellect), Ayusya (promoting life), Vrsya (aphrodisiac), Vakprada (good for voice)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Kapha Vata
Mala
(Action on excretory mechanism)		Sakrtmutra sodhana (eliminating urine and faecal matter)
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Kanthya (good for throat)
Traditional usage1. One suffering from diarrhoea/diarrhea should take water boiled with Vaca (Acorus calamus) and Prativisa (Aconitum spp.).

2. Old ghee processed with Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) juice, Vaca, Kustha (Saussurea lappa) and Sankhapuspi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) alleviates insanity, inauspiciousness, epilepsy and sinful conditions.

3. Paste of Vaca and Sarsapa (mustard) removes oedema and scrotal enlargement.

4. Application of the paste of Vaca, Kustha, Vidanga (Embelia ribes) etc., is useful in skin diseases.

5. Paste of Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Dhanyaka (coriander) and Vaca removes pimples of puberty.

6. In hemicrania, pressed snuff of Vaca and Pippali (Piper longum) and honey is useful.

7. After venesection, paste of Vaca and Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) or Gunja (Abrus precatorius) should be applied in alopecia.

8. In ophthalmia neonatorum, emesis should be induced with Vaca powder with honey.

9. Regular intake of ghee cooked hundred times with Vaca makes one long lived and free from diseases. Similarly by using for a month Vaca with milk or ghee or oil one becomes invincible for pathogenic agents and endowed with sharp intellect and sweet voice.

10. Vaca, Sauvarcala (a type of salt), Hing (Ferula assa-foetida), Kustha, Ativisa (Aconitum heterophyllum), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and Indrayava (Holarrhena pubescens) - these alleviates colic immediately.

11. Haemorrhoids/hemorrhoids, after anointing with oil should be fomented with warm pouched lump of Vaca and Satapuspa (Anethum sowa) added with unctous substance.

12. In indigestion, emesis should be induced with decoction of Vaca added with salt. One should take Vaca mixed with honey and jaggery in acid gastritis.

13. Milk added with water and Vaca should be taken in order to alleviate upward movement of Vata due to retention of urine.

14. In heart diseases caused by Kapha, patient should be vomited with decoction of Vaca and Nimba (Azadirachta indica).

15. In rat poisoning, one should take Vaca with rice water in morning for three or seven days keeping on wholesome diet. It counteracts be poison.

16. One who keeps the nodular piece of Vaca in mouth day and night gets rid of the diseases of mouth.

17. By applying Vaca powder after the anointment of Kapittha (Limonia acidissima) mixed with oil the wound of pinnae heals up.
FormulationSarasvata curna, Medhya rasayana, Yogaraja guggulu, Vaca yoga.
Related drugs1. Alpinia galanga Willd. (Zingiberaceae)
2. Aconitum sp. (Ranunculaceae)
CommentsAnother variety of Vaca according to Raja nighantu and Bhavaprakasa nighantu is called Sveta Vaca - Medhya, Sadgrantha, Haimavati, Dirghapatrika, Tiksnagandha, Mangalya, Vijaya. This is correlated by P.V. Sharma to Iris germanica.

Vaca is included in Virecana, Lekhaniya, Arsoghna, Trptighna, Asthapanopaga, Sitaprasamana, Samjnasthapana, Tiktaskandha, Sirovirecana gana of Caraka and Pippalyadi, Vacadi, Mustadi, Urdhvabhagahara of Susruta.
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 1 (Repr.1996), pp 51-54.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
p 5.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 110.

Ayurvedic Drugs and Their Plant Sources, 1994. Sivarajan, V.V. and Balachandran, I., Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi
p 494.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
38.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 28-31.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 334.

Research paper*C1 Wu, L, Xiang, T., Liu, T., Li. M., Gao. Z. and Meng, X.; Bopuxue. Zazhi, 15, 249-251 (1998).
*C2 Nawamaki, K. and Kuroyangi, M.; Phytochemistry, 43, 1175-82 (1996).
*C3 Narayana, D. B. A., Raghuvanshi, P., Agarwal, S. and Srinivas, K. S. ; Indian Drugs, 32, 454-57 (1995).
*C4 Sugimoto, N., Mikage, M., Ohtsubo, H., Kiuchi, F. and Tsuda, Y.; Nat. Med. 51, 259-264 (1997).
*C5 Srivastara, M., Saxena, A.and Baby, P.; Orient. J. Chem., 13, 97-98 (1997).
*C6 Rai, R., Gupta, A., Siddqui, I. R. and Singh, J.; Indian J. Chem. Sect. B. 38B, 1143-44 (1999).
*C7 Rai, R., Siddqui, I. R. and Singh, J.; Indian J. Chem. Sect. B. 37B, 473-76 (1998).
*C8 Wu. L., Sun, L., Li, M., Jiang, Z., Lu. Y., Tian, Z. and Zhao, H.; Zhongguo Yaown Huaxue Zazhi, 3, 201-2 (1993).
*C9 Wu, L., Jun, S., Ling, L., Li, M., Yang, H., Jiang, Z., Li, Y., Tian, Z., Zheng, Q., Miyase, T. and Ueno, A.; Yakugaku Zasshi, 114, 182-85 (1994).
*C10 Wang,　M. F., Lao, A. N. and Wang, H. C.; Chin. Chem. Lett., 8, 37-38 (1997).
*C11 McGaw, L. J., Jager, A. K. and van Staden, J.; South Africn Journal of Botany, 68, 31-35 (2002).
*C12 Tamas, M., Oprean, R. and Roman, L.; Farmacia, 44, 13-21 (1996).
*C13 Choudhury, A. K. A., Ara, T., Hashim, M. F., Ahmed, M.; Pharmazie, 48, 786-87 (1993).
*C14 Wang,　M. F., Lao, A. N. and Wang, H. C.; Chin. Chem. Lett., 8, 35-36 (1997).
*C15 Lao, A., Tang, X., Wang, H. and Wang, M.; Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shoumingshu CN 1220260 A 23, 15 pp (1999).
*C16 Ali, M. A.; Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res., 29, 87-93 (1994).
RemarksDried rhizomes constitute the drug calamus of commerce.
Last renewal date2024/01/10
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