vaca :

Acorus Calamus is a medicinal plant that generally grows near lakes, ponds and streams. It is also called as sweet flag. The root of Acorus Calamus has medical properties. It is abundantly found inIndia, where it is a popular home remedy. The very smell of the root of acorus proclaims its therapeutic properties. Acorus Calamus is body coolant that also aids digestion. The dried root of this medicinal herb is widely used in India.

The dried root of Acorus Calamus can be chewed directly. Though it is bitter in taste, it has excellent medicinal properties. No matter how old is the root, it doesn’t lose its properties. In Ayurveda treatment Acorus Calamus is used for treating mental disorders and epilepsy. It is also useful for treating diarrhea. It soothes their stomach and makes them free of gas and intestinal worms. It would relieve them from colic stomach pain due to gas. Vasambu honey mix is given to children early morning. It is believed to be good for body heat and bowel movement. Acorus Calamus is believed to enhance the voice of children. Acorus Calamus is also expected to enhance intelligence in children. Acorus Calamus is a natural coolant that can heal your bowel.

Taxonomical Classification

VERNACULAR NAMES

English: sweet flag
Hindi: Baach, Vacha
Malayalam: Vayambu, വയമ്പ്

Synonyms

Synonyms in Ayurveda: vaca, ugragandha, shadgrantha, golomi, shataparvika, kshudrapatra, lomasha, bhadra, rakshoghni, haimavati, Vacha, Ugragandha, Golomi, Jatila, Shatgrandhi, Sataparvita

Rasa: Katu Tikta
Guna: Laghu Teeskhsna
Veerya: Ushna
Prabhava: Medhya

Parts used for medicinal purpose

Underground rhizomes, ,

Morphology:

A rhizomatous, perennial semi aquatic plant grows up to 40 cm in height. Leaves simple, bright green, distichous, thickened in the middle, ensiform; flowers seen in densely packed spadix inflorescence, fruits oblong berries seeds few suspended from the apex of cells. Underground rhizomes are creeping, branched about 1 cm in diameter.

Geographical distribution:

Throughout India growing wild in marshy areas. Also cultivated

Therapeutic Uses:

Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, insomnia, insanity, other mental diseases, epilepsy, mania, stomatitis, hoarseness of voice, colic, flatulence, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, neuropathy, renal calculi, cough, inflammation, arthritis, kidney diseases, hemorrhoids, skin diseases and general debility.

Ayurvedic Formulations:

Common Ayurvedic Formulations of vaca with their Indications
Brahma Rasayana
Aparajitha dhooma choornam - It is used for fumigation.

KEY WORDS: VACHA,വയമ്പ്