XIV 
TURMERIC 
443 
History. — If the calamus of the Bible is the sweet 
flag (Acorus Calamus), the mention of it in Exodus 
XXX. 23, Canticles iv. 14, and Ezekiel xxvii. 19 are 
the earliest records of its use, but there is some doubt as 
to what was intended in these passages. The plant 
“ Acoron,” a native of Colchis, Galatia, and Crete, 
mentioned by Dioscorides and Pliny, a.d. 23 to 79, seems 
certainly to refer to it. Celsus (25 B.c. to a.d. 50) 
mentions Calamus Alexandrinus, probably brought from 
India by way of the Red Sea. It is said to have been 
introduced into Western Europe in the thirteenth century. 
But it first is recorded as abundant in Germany in 1588. 
The Indian rhizomes, however, were imported extensively 
till long after it was common in Europe. At present 
most of the drug is brought from Southern Russia 
through Germany to the London market, though 
occasionally a little still comes from India. 
Names. — The plant and its rhizome has many names. 
In English it is known as Sweet Flag ; French, Acore 
odorant or vrai, or Roseau aromatique; German, 
Kalmus ; in the druggist’s Latin, Calamus aromaticus 
or acorus, the rhizome. Radix Calami aromatici ; in 
Malay, Jeringu ; Tamil, Vasambu ; Hindu, Gorbach. 
Cultivation. — The plant is propagated very readily 
by portions of the rhizome being planted in damp muddy 
spots, and is of rapid growth. In the tropics it seldom 
flowers, and fruits sparingly everywhere. Common as 
it is in the Malay Peninsula, I have only seen flowers 
and never fruits. It is never cultivated on a large scale 
in tropical countries, but it is found in most village 
gardens. No trouble is taken with it. It is merely 
planted and left to itself, and the rhizome taken 
up when required and dried. Dr. Dymock (Watt’s 
Dictionary) says that it is imported into Bombay chiefly 
from the Persian Gulf and brings about 3 rupees a 
maund of 37^ seers. There is a very considerable trade 
in this article done in Calcutta. 
Use. — The rhizome of sweet flag is largely used in 
native Oriental medicines for dyspepsia and bronchitis, 
