oil of calamus
oil of calamus

Oil of Calamus

Common names: Sweet Flag Oil, Sway Oil, Muskat Root Oil, Acorus calamus (source).
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KIDSADVISORY SAFETY RATING
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Risky
Published by Jordana Tobelem, RD, LDN — Last Updated on Apr 16, 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr. William Lin, MD
Oil of Calamus, derived from the rhizome of Acorus calamus, has been utilized in the food industry for its aromatic and flavoring properties. Historically, it was incorporated into alcoholic beverages such as bitters, liqueurs, and vermouths, as well as in confectionery and baked goods. However, due to safety concerns, its use in food products has been prohibited in many countries.[1]
The primary health concern associated with Oil of Calamus is its content of β-asarone, a compound identified as a potential carcinogen. Studies have shown that β-asarone can induce liver tumors in rodents, leading to its prohibition in food products. Consequently, the use of Oil of Calamus in food has been banned in several countries, including the United States.[2]

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the use of calamus oil in human food products due to safety concerns.[1]
Health Canada
Health Canada has not approved calamus oil for use in food products, consistent with its status in other regulatory jurisdictions.[3]
EFSA (Europe)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not approved calamus oil for use as a food additive, aligning with international concerns regarding its safety profile.[2]
WHO (World Health Organization)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has not established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for calamus oil, reflecting the lack of sufficient safety data.

FDA GRAS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Current Status
Not Classified

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
  • EWG Rating: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns a low concern rating to Acorus calamus (Sweet Flag) Root Extract, indicating minimal risk for cancer, allergies, and immunotoxicity.[4]
  • Level of Caution: Despite the low concern ratings, the EWG notes that products containing this ingredient are restricted and cannot be EWG VERIFIED without adequate substantiation.[5]
  • Possible Health Risks: While the EWG assigns low concern ratings, other sources report that calamus oil contains β-asarone, a compound identified as a potential carcinogen, leading to its prohibition in food products in several countries.[6]
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More about Oil of Calamus

  • Alcoholic Beverages: Bitters, liqueurs, vermouths
  • Confectionery: Candies, chewing gums, chocolates
  • Baked Goods: Cakes, pastries, bread

Historical Use
Oil of Calamus, derived from the rhizome of Acorus calamus, has been utilized in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani for its aromatic and therapeutic properties. It was also used as a flavoring agent in beverages and foods, particularly in alcoholic drinks like bitters and liqueurs. However, concerns about its safety arose due to the presence of β-asarone, a compound identified as a potential carcinogen. In 1985, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned its use as a food additive because of animal studies indicating that β-asarone caused liver tumors in mice. Consequently, many countries followed suit, prohibiting its use in food products.[1]
Current Exposure
Today, the use of Oil of Calamus in food products is prohibited in several countries due to its carcinogenic potential, with particularly strong restrictions in the U.S. and European Union. While it remains banned for food use, the substance continues to be found in some non-food products, such as perfumes, cosmetics, and traditional medicinal formulations. Its use in these products is regulated to ensure minimal risk of exposure to β-asarone, especially given its potential health risks.[2]

Digestive Benefits
Traditional uses of Oil of Calamus include treating digestive issues such as gas, bloating, colic, and poor digestion.[7]
Neurological Effects
Research indicates that Oil of Calamus may have neuroprotective properties, potentially aiding in the prevention of memory loss and cognitive decline.[2]
Antimicrobial Properties
Studies have demonstrated that Oil of Calamus possesses antimicrobial activity, which may help in combating certain bacterial and fungal infections.[1]
Potential Toxicity
Despite its traditional uses, Oil of Calamus contains β-asarone, a compound identified as a potential carcinogen, leading to its prohibition in food products in several countries.[7]

Toxicological Studies
Studies have shown that β-asarone, a major component of Oil of Calamus, exhibits carcinogenic properties in animal models, leading to its prohibition in food products in several countries.[8] Studies have also shown that high doses of Oil of Calamus can cause severe nausea and prolonged vomiting, highlighting its potential toxicity.[9]
Long-Term Safety
The presence of β-asarone in Oil of Calamus raises concerns about its long-term safety, leading to its prohibition in food products in several countries. Due to its carcinogenic potential, Oil of Calamus has been banned as a food additive in the United States since 1968.[8]

High-Risk Groups
Due to the presence of β-asarone, a compound identified as a potential carcinogen, pregnant women are advised to avoid products containing Oil of Calamus. Individuals with existing liver conditions should exercise caution or avoid exposure to Oil of Calamus as well due to its potential hepatotoxicity.[10]
Health Impacts
High doses of Oil of Calamus have demonstrated neurotoxic effects, including convulsions and neuroinflammation, which may pose additional risks to sensitive individuals. Moreover, the β-asarone component in Oil of Calamus has been linked to carcinogenic effects in animal studies, raising concerns about its safety for vulnerable populations.[10]

Recommended Intake
he European Commission has set maximum limits for β-asarone, a major component of Oil of Calamus, in food products: 0.1 mg/kg for most foods and beverages, with an exceptional limit of 1 mg/kg for alcoholic beverages.[11]

General Safety Level
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the use of Oil of Calamus as a food additive in 1968 due to studies indicating its potential to cause liver tumors in mice.1 Furthermore, the European Commission has expressed concerns about the presence of β-asarone in Oil of Calamus, a compound identified as a potential carcinogen, leading to its prohibition in food products in several countries.[2]
Sensitive Individuals
According to the European Commission, although case studies exist, there isn’t enough data to categorize Oil of Calamus as a contact allergen for humans.[12]

FAQ

Is calamus essential oil safe?

Calamus essential oil is considered unsafe for internal use due to its potential toxicity and carcinogenic compounds.

Why was calamus banned?

Calamus was banned in food products because certain compounds in it, such as beta-asarone, have been linked to toxicity and carcinogenic effects in animal studies.

What is Calamus Oil used for?

Calamus oil is used in traditional medicine, aromatherapy, and perfumery, but its use is restricted due to safety concerns.

Is Acorus calamus toxic?

Yes, Acorus calamus can be toxic due to the presence of beta-asarone, which has been associated with harmful health effects.

References

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) n.d. Calamus Oilu2014Prohibited Available at: https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?id=CALAMUSOILPROHIBITED&set=FoodSubstances ↩︎
  2. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2009 Compendium of botanicals that have been reported to contain substances of possible concern when used in food and food supplements EFSA Journal 7(9):281 Available at: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.281 ↩︎
  3. Health Canada 2024 List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/chemical-contaminants/contaminants-adulterating-substances-foods.html ↩︎
  4. Environmental Working Group (EWG) n.d. Acorus Calamus (Sweet Flag) Root Extract Available at: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/700113-ACORUS_CALAMUS_SWEET_FLAG_ROOT_EXTRACT/ ↩︎
  5. Environmental Working Group (EWG) n.d. Acorus Calamus Available at: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/716362-ACORUS_CALAMUS/ ↩︎
  6. Environment Working Group (EWG) n.d. Restricted List - Personal Care Products Available at: https://static.ewg.org/upload/pdf/EWGV_Cosmetics_Program-Active_Restricted_List_C03.pdf ↩︎
  7. Raduu0161ienu0117 J. Judu017eentienu0117 A. Peu010diulytu0117 D. & Janulis V. 2015 Essential oil composition and antimicrobial assay of Acorus calamus leaves from different wild populations Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization 13(1):1-7 Available at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/plant-genetic-resources/article/abs/essential-oil-composition-and-antimicrobial-assay-of-acorus-calamus-leaves-from-different-wild-populations/7691AC80CEB361FE8695698677651EC7 ↩︎
  8. Washington State University n.d. Research Organisms - Calamus Available at: https://lcme.wsu.edu/research-organisms/calamus/ ↩︎
  9. Bju00f6rnstad K. Helander A. Hultu00e9n P. & Beck O. 2009 Bioanalytical investigation of asarone in connection with Acorus calamus oil intoxications Journal of Analytical Toxicology 33(9):604-9 Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20040135/ ↩︎
  10. Sharma V. et al. 2020 Role of Vacha Acorus calamus Linn. in Neurological and Metabolic Disorders Evidence from Ethnopharmacology Phytochemistry Pharmacology and Clinical Study Journal of Clinical Medicine 9(4):1176 Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7230970/ ↩︎
  11. Esselen M. et al. 2020 u03b1-Asarone u03b2-asarone and u03b3-asarone Current status of toxicological evaluation Journal of Applied Toxicology 41(8):1166-1179 Available at: https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jat.4112 ↩︎
  12. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) 2012 Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_102.pdf ↩︎

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