Witnessed by: TCM
Acorus (Acorus tatarinowii), of the Acoraceae family. Grass-like marginal aquatic with fans of sword leaves; native range: streamsides and wet rocky ground across China. Globally recognized as shi chang pu (石菖蒲) in Chinese, and grassleaf sweetflag, stone sweetflag in English. The part used is rhizome. Knotty jointed rhizome, intensely aromatic, pungent and slightly bitter when chewed.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
ACORUS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- acorus
- Scientific name
- Acorus tatarinowii Schott
- Family
- Acoraceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- opens the orifices, vaporizes phlegm, quiets the spirit, harmonizes the middle, dispels dampness
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in yin deficiency with heat, irritability, or profuse sweating
- Toxicity
- the volatile oil is irritating in excess; keep to dose
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