bianca's Herb Patch : Calamus

Calamus also called sweet-flag. The unpeeled dried rhizome of the perennial herb is used as a carminative, a tonic, and a stimulant. It can also be taken for coughs and used to scent potpourris. A bit may be chewed for dyspepsia and to supress the urge for tabacco. It has a super-good delicious smell, but a somewhat bitter taste. It has been used medicinally since ancient Greek and Arabian times and is mentioned in the Old Testament, though in fact it was confused with citronella grass.