wiike

sweet flag, calamus, myrtle flag, sweet sedge, sweet rush root, flagroot, muskrat food, rat root

Acoro

Acorus americanus, acorus calamus

wiike, wiikenh, nabagashk, mashkosii-zhaagozigan, wiyikiyo (Cree), wachaskomechiwin (Cree), wacaskwatapih (Cree),

Sweet flag is an interesting marsh plant whose yellow-green flowering stalk (called a spadix) juts out of the cat-tail-like flat leaves at a sharp angle. The flowers are tiny and inconspicuous. Sweet flag leaves have a delightful lemon scent and the plant occurs along stream banks and pond edges, often in shallow water, with sedges and cat-tails. Sweet flag flowers in June and grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)

Resembles Blue Flag (Iris versicolor), but it is not an iris, distingushed from iris by its corm and the pungent taste of the leaves. Grows on the borders of ponds and marshes where the soil is constantly moist and rich. (Indian Herbalogy of North America)

Chewing acorus makes the desire to smoke pass by leaving a very unpleasant taste in the mouth in contact with cigarette smoke. Keeping a chopstick in the mouth, like a toothpick, after eight days the noxious habit of smoking is stopped. It is stomachic and digestive recommended. It is cardiac tonic, diuretic, regulates and benefits liver function. Acorus tincture: Acorus 20 g 60 alcohol 100 cc. By teaspoons, diluted in tea, coffee, mineral water or wine. After the main meals as a digestif, before as an aperitif. (La vuelta a los vegetales)

Roots used in an infusion for colds, coughs, and as a physic; in a decoction as a gargle for sore throats, toothaches, and cold remedies; and in an unstated manner for cramps and as a hallucinogen. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)

Mi'kmaq considered it preventive medicine. They would place the root in water and steam it in the home to prevent illness. It was also carried on the person to prevent disease. The root was chewed to relieve indigestion and stomach cramps. Sometimes it was powdered and mixed with warm water and taken in this fashion. The medicine was given to infants to ease stomach pain, cramps and belching. It mnay have been used ot treat cholera. (Mi'kmaq Medicines)

Calamus, wild licorice and white water lily root can be grated and used as a tea to treat diabetes., Small slices can be chewed to treat high cholesterol. An activator or accelerator that increases the potency of other herbs. The root is antifungal and antibacterial. (A Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle)

Aromatic, carminative, stomachic, stimulant, tonic. frequently used for heart-burn caused by distention of the stomach by gas, by chewing the root or use of tea several times a day. infusion of 1 oz of the cut or granulated herb to 1 pint of boiling water. May be taken frequently in cupful amounts. (Indian Herbalogy of North America)

Masticando acoro hace pasar el deseo de fumar por dejar en la boca gusto muy desagradable en contacto con el humo del cigarrillo. Manteniendo un palillo de acoro en la boca, como un mondadientes, a los ocho días se deja el nocivo vicio de fumar. Es estomáquico y digestivo recomendado. Es tónico cardíaco, diurético, regula y beneficia el funcionamiento hepático. Tintura de Acoro: Acoro 20 g Alcohol de 60 100 cc. Por cucharaditas, diluida en té, café, agua mineral o vino. Después de las principales comidas como digestivo, antes como aperitivo. (La vuelta a los vegetales)

La vuelta a los vegetales, Carlos Hugo Burgstaller Chiriani. Editorial Lancelot, Buenos Aires, 1967/2016