The Acorus plant family represents the source of one of the world’s most widely used medicinals. In Egypt, the Chester Beatty Papyrus VI mentioned Acorus as an ingredient for a digestive plaster around 1,300 BC. In ancient Europe, Acorus was a symbol of love, lust and affection. The calamus variety, often referred to as Sweet Flag, was added to absinthe and digestive bitters, used in the perfume industry and as a flavoring for pipe tobacco.
Fresh Shichangpu (Acorus gramineus), recently pulled from the ground where it grows (Dabieshan Mountains, Jiangxi, China). Photo by Classical Chinese Medicine. Image sourced from Classical Chinese Medicine. Available at: https://classicalchinesemedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/shichangpu_full_web.jpg