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Overview
Calamus (Acorus calamus) is a grass-like plant found in swamps and near rivers. It has a long history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.
There are four different types of calamus. Some contain a cancer-causing chemical called beta-asarone. The North American and European varieties contain little to no beta-asarone, but others contain up to 96%. It also contains chemicals that might reduce pain and help fight infections.
People use calamus for asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, headache, stomach ulcers, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using calamus can also be unsafe.
The US FDA banned calamus in 1968 due to some species containing the cancer-causing chemical beta-asarone.
There are four different types of calamus. Some contain a cancer-causing chemical called beta-asarone. The North American and European varieties contain little to no beta-asarone, but others contain up to 96%. It also contains chemicals that might reduce pain and help fight infections.
People use calamus for asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, headache, stomach ulcers, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using calamus can also be unsafe.
The US FDA banned calamus in 1968 due to some species containing the cancer-causing chemical beta-asarone.
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