Rhizoma Acori Calami
Aliases：Ní Chāng (from Leigong Paozhi Lun), Shuǐ Chāng, Shuǐ Sù, Jīng Pú, Shuǐ Chāng Pú (from Bielu), Xī Sūn, Lán Sūn (from Tao Hongjing), Dì Xīn (from Shiyao Erya), Ní Chāng Pú (from Compendium of Materia Medica), Pú Jiàn (from Caomu Bianfang), Shuǐ Bā Jiǎo Cǎo, Jiā Chāng Pú (from Guangxi Chinese Veterinary Herbal Medicine), Chòu Pú (from Jiangsu Zhiwu Zhi), Dà Yè Chāng Pú, Tǔ Hāo Pú (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica).
Bái Chāng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried rhizome of Acorus calamus L. (also known as White Calamus), a plant belonging to the family Araceae. This plant is a perennial herb with a creeping, slightly flattened, aromatic rhizome with a yellowish-brown outer bark and numerous fleshy roots with hair-like fibrous roots. Bái Chāng was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu (Records of Famous Physicians).
Efficacy & Actions
Resolves phlegm, opens the orifices, strengthens the Spleen, and promotes diuresis. It also exhibits sedative, mind-calming, stomach-strengthening, dampness-resolving, insecticidal, and itch-relieving effects.
Indications
Indicated for epilepsy, palpitations with forgetfulness, clouded consciousness, dampness stagnation with abdominal distension and fullness, diarrhea and dysentery, rheumatic pain, and carbuncles with scabies. It may also be used for chronic bronchitis, suppurative keratitis, bacillary dysentery, enteritis, and other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Sedative, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant: Significant sedative and hypnotic effects, potentiates barbiturates, with anticonvulsant activity. Neuroprotective: Exhibits neuroprotective effects. Anti-inflammatory: Aqueous extract, flavonoids, and ethanol extract all show anti-inflammatory activity. Antibacterial: Volatile oil exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity against various pathogens. Antiasthmatic, antitussive, and expectorant: Volatile oil relieves asthma, with cough‑suppressing and expectorant effects. Cardiovascular regulation: Modulates cardiovascular function, with antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. Others: Insecticidal, antitumor, hypoglycemic, antispasmodic, anti‑ulcer, and hypothermic effects.
Ingredients
Volatile oils (main active components): Rhizome: Dominated by β-asarone (47.43%), with L-calacorene, isocalamendiol, etc. Root: Dominated by calamenene (20.00%), aristolene (15.71%), acoradiene (14.19%). Others: Also contain cis-methylisoeugenol, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, myrcene, linalool, camphor, isoborneol, etc. Non-volatile constituents: Ketones: Epishyobunone, isoshyobunone Phenylpropanoids: β-asarone Organic acids: Palmitic acid Alcohols: Isocalammendiol Sterols: β-sitosterol, β-daucosterol Flavonoids: 5-hydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone, 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyflavone (the latter two reported for the first time in Acorus) Also contains monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, quinones, alkaloids, choline, organic acids, amino acids, sugars, etc.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 5–10 g; or 1–2 qián (approximately 3–6 g); or grind into powder and put into capsules. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water and wash the affected area; or grind into powder and apply topically.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Yin deficiency and Yang hyperactivity. Use with caution in patients with excessive sweating and spermatorrhea.
Selected Formulas
For forgetfulness, palpitations, and mental confusion (Shandong Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 9g of Changpu (Acorus rhizome), 9g of Yuanzhi (Polygala root), 9g of Fuling (Poria), 15g of Guiban (Turtle shell), and 9g of Longgu (Dragon bone). Grind together into fine powder. Take 4.5g each time, three times daily. For abdominal distension and dyspepsia (Shandong Chinese Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 9g each of Changpu, Laifuzi (Radish seed, stir-fried), and Shenqu (Medicated leaven), plus 12g of Xiangfu (Cyperus). Decoct in water and drink. For dysentery (Guizhou Folk Prescription Collection) Take 3g of water Changpu root, cut finely, swallow with cold boiled water in one dose, and take for two consecutive doses. For toothache and bleeding gums (empirical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Changpu, grind into powder, and apply externally. For early-stage carbuncles and swellings (empirical formula) Take 50g of Changpu, 25g of Duhuo (Angelica pubescens), 25g of Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), 25g of Chishao (Red peony root), and 15g of Zijingpi (Cercis bark). Grind into fine powder. Take an appropriate amount of the powder, crush with scallion hearts to make a paste, and apply to the affected area.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral administration: Take 5–10 g of Bái Chāng (Acorus calamus), decoct in water, strain, and drink the liquid. Powder for oral administration: Grind Bái Chāng into fine powder, put it into capsules, and swallow. External washing: Take an appropriate amount of Bái Chāng, decoct it in water, and wash the affected area externally. It is used for scabies, eczema, and other skin diseases.
Medicinal Parts
Dried rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects.
