Paper Contents
Abstract
Acorus calamus L., known in Ayurveda as Vacha, is a semi-aquatic perennial herb with a rich history of medicinal use spanning millennia. Revered in classical Ayurvedic texts, it holds a preeminent position as a Medhya Rasayanaa substance that nourishes and rejuvenates the intellect. Traditionally, its rhizome has been employed to enhance memory, intellect, and speech, and to manage a spectrum of neurological disorders including epilepsy and anxiety. Its therapeutic applications also extend to the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, where it is used to correct digestive insufficiencies and resolve congestive conditions. However, the therapeutic utility of A. calamus is shadowed by significant safety concerns, primarily due to the presence of -asarone, a phenylpropanoid constituent with demonstrated genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. This toxicity is particularly pronounced in the tetraploid variety of the plant commonly found in India. In response to this inherent risk, Ayurvedic pharmacology developed a sophisticated detoxification process known as Shodhana (purification), a multi-stage pharmaceutical procedure designed to reduce -asarone content and render the herb safe for clinical use. Modern scientific investigations have begun to validate this ancient practice, confirming that Shodhana effectively decreases -asarone levels through volatilization. Furthermore, contemporary pharmacological studies have provided evidence for the neuroprotective, nootropic, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, and bronchodilatory properties of A. calamus, elucidating the biochemical mechanisms that underpin its traditional therapeutic claims. Despite this convergence of ancient wisdom and modern science, a significant gap persists in human clinical research. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic value of Vacha from an Ayurvedic perspective, examining its historical significance, pharmacodynamic properties, traditional applications, the critical issue of asarone toxicity, the scientific basis of its purification, and the current state of pharmacological validation. It concludes that while purified Vacha holds immense promise, its integration into evidence-based global medicine is contingent upon rigorous, well-designed human clinical trials using standardized, detoxified preparations.
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 Dr. Sandhya Maravi. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
