Calamus Oil is steam distilled from the rhizomes (underground stems) of the wild growing or cultivated Acorus Calamus, a perennial p]ant which is known in the U.S.A. as “Sweet Flag” or “Sweet Root”,” Sweet Myrtle”, “Sweet Cinnamon”, “Sweet Cane”, etc. The very decorative plant grows wild all over the swampy areas of the temperate zones in Europe, Asia, and America, along brooks, rivers, lakes, etc.
Apperance:- Calamus Oil is generally a pale yellow to pale brown, viscous liquid.
Odor:- warm, woody-spicy and pleasant odor with increasing sweet after notes and great tenacity.The odor of good oils bears some resemblance to the odor of dried milk or sweet leather, The flavor of Calamus Oil is equally warm spicy, yet slightly bitter
Specific Gravity:- 0.9924 @ 72 Degree F
Refractive Index:- 1.549 @ 72 Degree F
Optical Rotation:- +9.00 to +31.00
Acid Value:- 4.00 max. KOH/g
Solubility:- Alcohol
Extraction:- It is extracted using the fresh roots or the unpeeled dried root by steam distillation.
Composition:- It contains acorenone, b-gurjunene, isoshyobunine, b-asarone, calamendiol, a-selinene, a-calacorene, calamusenone, camphone and shyobunone.
Uses & Benefits:-
Calamus Oil is useful in perfumes of the woody oriental type, in leather-bases, ambres, In flavors, the oil finds some application with cardamom, angelica, ginger, etc. In spice blends and flavors for alcoholic beverages.
Safety Precautions:-
The essential oil has carcinogenic properties. Should be avoided during aromatherapy.
Therapeutic Properties:-
Calamus Oil has a vast usage in United States, British and other Pharmacopceias. Some of its therapeutic uses include the following: