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Medicinal uses
The Acorus calamus is used to treat diarrhoea (Shoba & Thomas, 2001). It is also
used as an expectorant, carminative, antispasmodic and nervine sedative (Van Wyk
et al., 1997; Padmaja et al., 2002).
Data from ethnobotanical survey
Its stem is ground, mixed with cold water, and the person with sores has to drink a
quarter of a cup of the mixture three times a day (Zondo, 2007, pers. comm.).
Chemical content
Essential oils are found in the leaves, rhizomes and roots. Tannins are found in the
rhizomes and roots; and ascorbic acid is found in the leaves and rhizomes. Known
compounds from the plant include acorin, choline essence containing asarone,
eugenol, pinene, cetylic acid, palmitic acid and vitamin B1 (Hutchings et al. 1996).
Sesquiterpenes (acorenone) were also detected in this plant (Padmaja et al. 2002).
Essential oil contains numerous monoterpenoids e.g. Camphene, p-cymene, linalool.
Toxicity is ascribed to β-asarone, a phenyl propanoid (Van Wyk et al., 1997).
3.2.3. Scientific name : Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W. F. Wight
Zulu name : Usolo
Common name : Flat crown
Figure 3.3 An adult Albizia adianthifolia tree.
(www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/albiziadian.htm)
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