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Calamus

Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Acorus calamus

Common Name: Calamus

Family: Acoraceae (Araceae)

Specific Region: Adirondacks, NY

Date: August 2, 2003

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A big thank you to Mountain Rose Herbs for their g

A big thank you to Mountain Rose Herbs for their generous donations to the Ithaca Free Clinic. You help me help many people who would otherwise not have access to herbal medicine. So, thank you again. ~7Song

One of my good friends, Sara Brown, has a booth at

One of my good friends, Sara Brown, has a booth at the Ithaca Farmer's Market, where she sells garlic and flowers. I enjoy visiting and staying at her booth and watching the hubbub of the Market pass by. It is a time for me to learn how to re-socialize. Last week was slow since it was early December, which made it easier to spend some catch-up time with folks I haven't seen in a while.
And also to pick up so delish bread.

There are a few spots available at the Ithaca Free

There are a few spots available at the Ithaca Free Clinic with me for Monday, December 11. I will be available from 2-6 pm Eastern time. I am open to discussing any health issues. My goal is to offer whatever information (herbal and other) that may be helpful. I also try to be a bridge between conventional and herbal medicine. (Perhaps someday, there will not be this division).
Here are the deets.
To make an appointment, write to the Ithaca Free Clinic at clinic@ithacahealth.org. And make sure to write 'Consultation with 7Song' in the subject line. Please do not write to me directly, I do not do the scheduling. If you don't hear back from the clinic within 48 hours, write again.
All consultations and medicines are free, though we do not send medicines, they need to be picked up at the clinic. You will initially need to fill out some paperwork (everything is confidential). For online consultations, we use Doxy.me, which is a HIPAA-compliant online platform. You will be sent instructions on how to log on (it is easy to use). Let me know if you have any further questions.

During the winter, I usually pick one large organi

During the winter, I usually pick one large organization project. This year, it is finally making a detailed spreadsheet for all the tinctures and other liquid medicines in my home. Fortunately, this was started by Tahila and Taylor a few years ago. Initially, I wanted a database for these medicines including their ratios and alcohol percentages for a starting point when preparing the same medicine again. I also wanted these numbers to share, as people often are confused by referenced ratios. For instance, some sources say to tincture Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) at 1:4, but in reality, this amount of ethanol does not come close to covering the herb. I can get it saturated at 1:6 as long as I also blenderize it.
But back to this winter’s project. I’ve been making plant medicines for the past 30 years (yes, I still have a few tinctures I made in 1993), and while I try to maintain some organization, there are often multiple bottles of the same plant. So, I am trying to consolidate these when plausible. I am also moving medicines from gallon bottles into half-gallon bottles. These are easier to store and use, and I like the spill-resistant BPA-free plastic lids, rather than the metal lids which rust over time. I often put wax paper between the lid and the jar.
This project will take many months, but fortunately I have Sarah and Lindsay (see photo) helping me.
Most evenings, I go through all the bottles and try to find duplicates, larger jars that I can pour into smaller jars, and labels that need replacing. I have to admit that this type of big organization brings some satisfaction (and then onto the next project).

A Cyber Monday Consumerist Story Apologies, as thi

A Cyber Monday Consumerist Story
Apologies, as this is a bit of a long read. Will it be worth it? Perhaps I will find out with your comments. And truly, this shows 7Song’s consumerist ways.
A few weeks ago, I got some very good news. To celebrate, I thought I would purchase something I have been putting off, and thought would be useful.
A side note. I occasionally purchase human anatomy models, to help me learn about the human body, most notably from Sam Webster videos on YouTube. He uses models extensively. After purchasing a few, I learned that when purchasing anatomy models, the pricier ones are generally better quality. I chose to go with mid-expensive models, as they are within my budget, and work reasonably well.
So, with shopping on my mind, I went to the Anatomy Warehouse website, and decided to purchase a ‘female’ pelvic floor model. I often work with people with pelvic floor dysfunction, and none of my current models show it very well. Before purchasing, I chatted with the sales folks, and they said that all Axis Scientific models would be 25% off on Cyber Monday. This excited my consumerist brain, and I began to look at all the models made by that company. In the end, I settled on four. You can see them in the photo. From left to right are a ‘female’ pelvis, a half life-size 27-part muscular figure, a ‘male’ pelvis, and a ‘female’ pelvic floor. Quite frankly, I am excited to learn more, and to use them as teaching aids.
So, this winter, I will watch Sam Webster discuss these body parts, while following along on my models.
Did any of you make Cyber Monday purchases, or do you avoid it for the consumerist hole that it is? ~7Song

A Calamus Moment Calamus (Acorus calamus, Acoracea

A Calamus Moment
Calamus (Acorus calamus, Acoraceae_ has several medicinal applications. This is due to its complex chemistry. It has a very strong flavor, especially when chewing the raw rhizome, the part used as medicine.
As a teacher, this plant is a favorite as it can help students maintain focus for those with a wandering mind (and a desire to stay focused). Calamus can help with brain fog and is helpful with cognitive dysfunction after an illness (such as Lyme) or an injury or accident. It is also beneficial as a grounding herb after a triggering event.
It is bitter and aromatic, making it useful for GI issues such as sluggish digestion or discomfort after eating.
It can be taken as needed and also taken as a long-term tonic.
This plant has important spiritual and medicinal value for many Native Americans.
There is some concern about its safety as it contains β-asarone, which has been shown to be carcinogenic in lab animals. But so far, it does not seem to be harmful to humans in the amounts ingested as medicine.
(Photo: A Calamus plant growing alongside a creek with its rhizomes exposed.)

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