Calamus Root - (Acorus calamus) is a semi-aquatic perennial of the family Acoraceae. It most likely originated in Central Asia, Russia and Eastern Europe, but has been thriving for so long in the marshy, wetland shorelines of the US it behaves just like a native there too. Calamus is known by many other names, including Sweet Flag, Flag Root and Sweet Myrtle as well as Sweet Rush and Cinnamon Sedge. Many of these names refer to the mild sweet scent emitted by Calamus that has found its way into the perfume and cosmetics industry. Its long, narrow sword shaped leaves are very similar to those of Irises, aka ‘Flags’. Calamus is also known as German Ginger in many parts of the world due to common folk usage of the powdered root in cordials and other beverages over the years as a substitute for cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger.

Calamus has earned, by no fault of its own, a somewhat notorious reputation due in no small part to the not one or two, but thirty nine(!) Calamus poems written by Walt Whitman and included in his famed work, “Leaves of Grass”. For centuries before that, and certainly not lost on Whitman, Calamus has been well known as a hallucinogen across many cultures. It is even rumored to be possible that Calamus was the featured ingredient in the holy oil that God commanded Moses to make.

Calamus Root Powder 4oz is also available.

For many centuries, people from all over the globe have found fresh herbs to be a gentle yet effective health-enhancing blessing. These are our own hand packed loose herbs, packaged in old world apothecary style, air tight brown paper canisters to keep light and moisture out, and freshness in. Use in teas, tinctures, and elixirs.

As we continue to improve our loose herb and tea packaging, you may receive a canister with either label pictured above.