ACORUS

ACORUS, a Medicinal Plant, of the Rush or Flag Kind;frequently confounded by the Ancients, and also by the modern Apothecaries, with the Calamus Odoratus. See CALAMUS.There are two Species of Acorus; the Verus, or true, and the false—They are distinguished by this, that from the middle of some of the Leaves of the former, there arises a longish Cluster of an Infinity of little Flowers, the Thickness of the little Finger, and resembling Macropiper, or Long Pepper.—The false Acorus is the common Swordgrass.It is only the Root of the Acorus that is used in Physic;and it is this we usually call Acorus—The true is brought from Lithuania and Tartary: It is knotty, reddish without, and white within; as thick as the little Finger, and half a Foot long.It is spicy and bitterish; and used in Cephalic and Stomachic Compositions.—It is also an Ingredient in the Theriaca Andromachi.Some rank Galangals as a Species of Acorus. See GALANGALS.

ACORUS