The Chinese are familiar with the medicinal properties of sweet flag for hundreds of years now. They use this plant to treat a myriad of diseases and to slow down aging process which is why many people call sweet flag – extender of life.
Sweet flag, also known as Acorus calamus or simply calamus, is a tall domestic plant which usually grows close to swamps, streams, places with water and ditches. This powerful healing plant starts blooming in June and ends this process in August. Sweet flag usually grows up to one meter.
There is a concentration of flowers with green and yellow color on the beginning of the stem. In addition, the rhizome is located on the extended horizontal roots and it has many branches. Rhizome is the base for the large leaves shaped like the head of a lance.
People harvest the rhizome during spring and late autumn. In order to use it, you must first clean it well. After that the rhizome should be cut and dried on heat. When all this is done, sweet flag plant should be stored in a dry and relatively dark place.
Sweet Flag Health Benefits
It turns out that this amazing plant has the ability to provide help to people suffering from many different health problems including:
- Digestive organs issues
- Liver issues
- Supports the extraction of kidney stones
- Stomach and bowel problems
- It soothes palpitations
- Sweet flag aids people dealing with stomach problems closely linked to the lack of stomach acid, in cases of impairment, catarrh and neuroses in this area, problems with the appetite, gases, duodenum ulcers and indigestion.
- Eases the symptoms of bronchitis, fever, pneumonia, influenza, intestine problems and lung cancer.
- It stabilizes the production of bile
- It aids people dealing with gout and rheumatism
- Boosts blood flow
- Enhances memory and focus
- Supports proper urination
- Angina treatment
- Helps people with potency issues
- It is good for gingivitis, bad breath and oral cavity disinfection
- It aids people with back pain
- It cleanses the blood.
According to some people who consume this plant on a regular basis, sweet flag is capable of curing any bowel disease and issue, regardless of its intensity.
In addition, this interesting plant can aid people who want to stop smoking. These people need to chew dried rhizome of sweet flag because in this way they will block the need to take nicotine.
If you chew it on a regular basis you will eventually stop smoking. Passionate smokers should chew up to 15 pieces of rhizome during the day. Individuals dealing with lung and intestine cancers should take the same amount.
How to Prepare Sweet Flag?
Sweet flag comes with: acorin, glycoside, essential oil, starch, small amount of choline and resin. Thanks to its distinctive, aromatic scent that appears to be very similar to the one produced by cinnamon this plant can be used in many meals as an alternative to cinnamon. So, besides healing properties it also has culinary properties.
A mixture of brandy and sweet flag is often used as natural mouthwash which has the ability to strengthen the gums and teeth and it turns out to be very healthy to consume a few small cups of this mixture.
However, the most popular form of sweet flag is the form of a tea. In this case, the tea is prepared not with hot, but with cold water.
In order to prepare this tea, take one teaspoon of dried sweet flag root and pour it in one cup filled with cold water. Leave the solution for about 12 hours. In the morning strain the tea and warm it up for a bit and drink this elixir. Drinking it throughout the day after and before each meal (take a few sips).
This practice is best for those who want to heal some disorder or disease related to their intestines or stomach. Sweet flag tea is used for lung cleansing too.
With the help of sweet flag you can also make a healing bath. Just place about 200 grams of rhizome in five liters of water. Leave this mixture for about 12 hours. After that, heat the mixture until it starts boiling and put it in the tub filled with regular heated water. Wait for 15-20 minutes and enter the tub.
Once you are done, make sure that your body is completely dry before going to bed. While you are in your bed you can consume sweet flag tea.
In addition, you can use sweet flag in the form of juice too. Take a fresh rhizome and wash and drain it carefully. Take one teaspoon mixed with a small amount of water about 15 minutes before each meal. This means that you should use it three times a day.
When it comes to nerve diseases, you can prepare sweet flag oil. Take 200 grams of chopped sweet flag root and mix it with about one liter of virgin olive oil or corn oil. Let the root sit in the oil for one or two months. Shake this mixture from time to time during this period.
You can use calamus oil to rub the problematic and painful areas a few times a day. If you want to experience its calming properties use it on your neck, temples and behind ears.
You can find dried sweet flag root in almost any pharmacy or health store and it seems that this is the best form of this plant. Besides pure tree flag tea, people can use a mixture of this plant with other herbs in order to create healing teas:
1. Herbal Tea to Support Urination
Take 25 grams of rhizome sweet flag and mix it with crushed parsley and bran leaves. Put three tablespoons of this natural mixture in 500 ml of boiling water. Cover the mixture and leave it for about two hours. Consume this tea to improve and regulate urination. Drink it before each meal.
2. Herbal Tea to Treat Intestines and Stomach Problems
Take half a teaspoon of this plant and ½ teaspoon of marshmallow root and place them in a regular cup. In addition, put some cold water and leave this mixture stand still for about 8-10 hours. After that, strain it well and boil it.
This mixture is perfect for individuals dealing with poor digestive system performance.
3. Herbal Tea to Support Appetite
In order to improve appetite, it is advised to use a mixture of well-known herbs. Mix 20 grams of mustard (plant), rhizome sweet flag, clover and peel of bitter orange. Put the mixture in one liter of quality brandy and leave it like that for eight days. Don’t forget to shake the drink on a daily basis. After that, drink one tablespoon of this herbal mixture three times a day about 30 minutes before each meal.
4. Herbal Tea for Improved Digestion
Take 20 grams of rhizome sweet flag, mint, lemon balm, fennel and chamomile and mix them well. Use 2 dl of boiling water to cover one tablespoon of this mixture. Drink this tea after each meal.
5. Herbal Tea to Soothe Asthma and Bronchitis
Take 100 grams of sweet flag, colt’s foot, ground ivy and anise. Take 700 ml of boiling water and pour it over five tablespoons of this natural mixture. Wait for 30 minutes, strain it well and drink it throughout the day.
6. Herbal Tea for Treating Ulcers and Gastritis
Calamus and licorice should be mixed and grinded and consumed three times a day before each meal. One tablespoon of this mixture should be poured in a cup of chamomile tea for the best effects.
In addition, you can rely on a mixture of sweet flag, licorice, linseed and plantain. Pour 300 ml of boiling water over two tablespoons of this special mix. Stir everything well and leave it like that for 30 minutes. After that, strain it and consume 30 minutes before each meal. Drink one cup of this herbal tea before meals.
