In vitro and in vivo studies have shown Acorus calamus oil to induce malignant tumours, due to β-asarone. In view of toxicity, products should contain no or a negligible amount of β-asarone, such as that from the Acorus calamus var. americanus (Singh et al., 2001).

Preparations of the plant Acorus calamus (calamus or sweet flag) (A. calamus) are available via internet trade and marketed as being hallucinogenic. In 2003-2006, the Swedish Poisons Information Centre received inquiries about 30 clinical cases of intentional intoxication with A. calamus products. The present investigation aimed to identify alpha- and beta-asarone, considered active components of A.

4 weeks ago - The Council of Europe Committee of Experts on Flavouring Substances concluded that β-asarone is clearly carcinogenic and has proposed limits for its concentration in flavorings such as bitters made from Acorus calamus (sweet flag).

Toxicological Concerns: Studies have indicated that β-asarone may have toxicological implications, including potential carcinogenic effects. High levels of β-asarone in calamus products have led to cautionary measures to protect public health.

November 25, 2020 - Hepatopathological findings were observed for β-asarone (≥400 ppm), but no neoplastic potential was described at any dose. Clear carcinogenic potential of β-asarone and calamus-containing oils is questionable based on the week reported data ...

Though the calamus oil obtained from A. calamus has several medicinal, aromatic and industrial properties, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its use in the food formulations and therapeutic preparations due to the carcinogenic and toxic properties of the β-asarone compounds; a major ...

February 1, 2012 - Mild but acceptable toxicity of rhizome extract of this plant was observed at high doses by · Muthuraman and Singh (2012). β-asarone, a compound from this plant is potentially toxic and carcinogenic (Taylor et al., 1967;Keller and Stahl, 1983), ...

September 6, 2012 - Mild but acceptable toxicity of rhizome extract of this plant was observed at high doses by Muthuraman and Singh (2012). β-asarone, a compound from this plant is potentially toxic and carcinogenic (Taylor et al., 1967; Keller and Stahl, 1983), ...

However, from the perspective of health benefits, Acorus calamus treated maize is still questionable for feed and food purpose. As β asarone has carcinogenic effects at certain level, it needs further residue tests of treated maize to know allowable maximum residue limit (MRL) before consumption as food or feed. Keywords: Sweet flag, Maize weevil, Oil extraction, Concentrations, Management

While Acorus calamus has many benefits, it also comes with some risks: Toxicity : Ingesting large amounts of the plant can be toxic due to the presence of β-asarone, a compound found in some varieties of the plant.

(a) Pathology report by William S. Monlux (August 1978) entitled "Microscopic lesions occurring in one hundred and ninety-four rats fed beta-asarone in their diet for twenty-four months" (This report indicates that a level of 2500 ppm beta-asarone was fed in the study; this group received Jammu oil of calamus not beta-asarone.) (b) Memo from Robert T. Habermann to Jean Taylor (16 June 1971) entitled "Carcinogenicity of beta-asarone in rats in a two-year feeding study".

November 1, 2009 - Preparations of the plant Acorus calamus (calamus or sweet flag) (A. calamus) are available via internet trade and marketed as being hallucinogenic. In 2003–2006, the Swedish Poisons Information Centre received inquiries about 30 clinical cases of intentional intoxication with A. calamus products. The present investigation aimed to identify α- and β-asarone, considered active components of A.

Nitrogen fertilization and the essential oils profile of the rhizomes of different sweet flag populations (Acorus calamus L.). Industrial Crops and Products 2019, 142 , 111871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.111871 · Thomas Uebel, Markus Wilken, Hung Vu Chi, Melanie Esselen. In vitro combinatory cytotoxicity of hepatocarcinogenic asarone isomers and flavonoids. Toxicology in Vitro 2019, 60 , 19-26.

When taken by mouth: Calamus is likely unsafe. The US FDA prohibits using calamus in food products because some species contain a cancer-causing chemical called beta-asarone. The amount of beta-asarone in calamus species can vary widely. In addition to cancer, side effects might include nausea ...

As a cul-tivated crop, the plant has the advantage of rapid propagation by rhizomes, which can be harvested within 2 years of planting. The recent finding that native Canadian plants appear free of carcinogenic β-asarone suggests that the food and medicinal uses that have been thought unwise require reconsidera-tion.

October 30, 2022 - It was reported that prolonged exposure to A. calamus could cause toxification and excessive vomiting [14]. It was also reported that both α- and β- asarone are cytotoxic, genotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic [12,15,16]. Due to the reported toxicity ...

Acorus is considered unsafe for ... in rats treated with β-asarone (Wiseman et al., 1987). FDA studies have shown that only calamus native to India contains the carcinogenic β-asarone....

However, it is important to exercise caution due to the plant’s potential toxicity. The essential oil in the root contains asarone, a compound with potential carcinogenic properties.

The fresh root can be poisonous[1]. ... plant contains the compound asarone. This has tranquillising and antibiotic activity, but is also potentially toxic and carcinogenic[3][4]. It seems that these compounds are found in the triploid form of the species (found in Asia) whilst ...

This has not been proven however this essential oil seems to have procarcinogenic effect on ingested. This was pointed out in a study that a nutrient from calamus, called β – asarone may have carcinogenic effects, although quite weak.