Description
Sweet Flag
Botanical Name: Acorus calamus
Sweet Flag is indigenous to Europe, Asia, North America and India through to New Guinea.
Sweet Flag is a perennial reed – like plant with creeping rhizomes and strap-like leaves to 1m long. Small yellow/green flowers grow on a flower spike or spadix 6-8cm long.
Medicinally the aromatic, bitter rhizomes are used as a bitter tonic to treat indigestion, flatulence and to stimulate appetite.
Sweet Flag is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine where it is used to strengthen the nervous system.
Growing Conditions
Sweet Flag prefers boggy areas in sun or part shade but will grow in well watered garden beds or pots.
