Air is a long-known healing plant. Even the ancient Romans used its beneficial properties. The famous doctor Avicenna recommended treating his internal organs and eyes, in medieval Europe it was used for disinfection. The virtues of calamus are recognized by the current official medicine.
Botanical description
This perennial herb of the Ayrnih family has other names - black root, Tatar grass, Tatar potion, cane grass, yaver. The rhizome is thickened (up to 3 cm in diameter), elongated (can reach up to 1.5 m), inside is white, with many additional roots. Yellow with a grassy shade of the roots are located close to the soil surface. The smell is bitter, and the taste is burning. 
The stem is green, growing without branches vertically up to 120 cm. On the one hand, it has a sharp edge, and on the other hand, grooves. At the top of the stem is a thick inflorescence deviating to the side, resembling a cob. Cylindro-shaped inflorescence, tapering to the top, non-sharp, length from 4 to 12 cm, fully planted with small green-yellow faint flowers. A long sheet like a case fits the inflorescence. The leaf of the plant is bright green, in the form of a sword, width 2-5 cm, length 60-120 cm. It grows exclusively near water bodies.
Did you know? According to the legends of the Iroquois Indians, calamus is the first plant that appeared on Earth.
Spread
India, China, South and East Asia are considered the birthplace of the Tatar potion. During the invasion, the Tatar-Mongols, who believed that the air cleared the water and did not harm people or horses, brought air to the Eastern European lands. Due to its numerous healing properties, the plant soon took root and spread further - to Western Europe in the 16th century, to North America at the end of the 17th century. Nowadays, the calamus grows throughout Europe (including England) and in the Americas.
Find out more about such medicinal plants as: meer, three-leaf watch, walker, onosma, creeping gobbler, centaury, astragalus, bonfire, bedstraw, Lesopida, serpentine head, sedge, book fox, pike, umbrella of winter time, yasnotka and bison.
Chemical composition
The chemical composition of calamus has not yet been fully studied. It is precisely established that the root is the richest in composition. Its most remarkable component is the essential oil, pleasant in taste and smell, of which there is almost 5%. The main component of the oil is azarone - sedative, hypnotic and in a certain setting anesthetic agent; it can also lower blood pressure and relieve smooth muscle spasms. In addition, at the root of the plant about 150 mg per 100 g of vitamin C, from 25 to 40% starch, as well as resins, tannins, choline and alkaloid calamine.
Medicinal properties
The healing features of the irroot are numerous and versatile. They are treated with:
- Gastrointestinal disorders: constipation (constipation), increased flatulence, decreased appetite, helminthic invasions, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Dental diseases: inflammation of the supporting apparatus of the tooth, destruction of tooth tissues, inflammation in the oral cavity.
- Illnesses of the upper respiratory tract: a drug from calamus helps to reduce the viscosity of sputum and relieves spasm from the lungs.
- Pathologies of the reproductive system in women: excessive and unusual for the nature of discharge from the genital organs, inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, painful periods.
- Urolithiasis: means based on the irradiated root stop the inflammatory process of the walls of the bladder and resume the absorption function of the renal pelvis.
- Articular pathologies: the correct use of ACPs will demonstrate positive dynamics in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and sprains.
- Bone lesions.
- Ailments of the skin.
- Pressure jumps.
- Impaired memory and vision.
Did you know? The aroma of the leaves of the Tatar potion has the ability to eliminate indoor odors and repel insects.
Application of calamus calamus
The use of Tatar grass is wide and multifaceted, and the methods of its use are also different. 
In folk medicine
Healing mainly uses root. On its basis, healers made infusions, decoctions, juices, powders, prepared baths.
Decoctions
This remedy is effective:
- for stomach ailments;
- ulcer;
- heartburn;
- increased gas formation;
- colic in the intestines and stomach;
- intoxication and diarrhea.
In case of an ulcer, it is effective to take celandine, burdock, saxifrage and chamomile.These same substances contribute to the removal of inflammation of the oral cavity. Due to this rinse decoction removes bad breath, helps with dental pain, inflammation of the oral cavity and sore throat. Lotions of broth put on certain lesions of the nails and on the wound with snake bites, but at the same time they also drink the broth. They also drink decoction for cholera, typhoid and flu.
It is taken for exhaustion, hypertension, rapid pulse, after suffering infectious diseases. Baths are prepared for long-term arthritis and polyarthritis. More baths relieve fever, bone tissue damage and rickets are well treated. They are especially useful for women: a bath with root decoction will restore the microflora, eliminate inflammation in the urogenital system, help with cystitis and pyelonephritis.Infusion
It is used for the treatment of various ailments of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and as a cough and relieves fever in pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchitis and bronchial asthma. They are taken orally if there is a skin fungus or spinal cord ailments with a loss of sensitivity, however, in addition, the root is chewed and lotions are placed.
Bronchial asthma can be treated with aloe, purslane, horseradish and pine cones.The infusion is effective for normalizing the condition of the skin. Primochki treat purulent wounds and trophic ulcers in diabetic angio and neuropathy, and the use of infusion after shaving reduces skin irritation. Benefits and irregular periods. Prepare baths and baths with him, also make douching infusion.
Powder
It is taken in very small doses. It is beneficial for improving the properties of memory, with psychodegradation, neurasthenia, hysteria and convulsions. It has a tonic effect on the nervous system when it is inhibited. Devastating effect on worms and other parasites. In addition to all this, it also improves sexual function.
Important! An overdose of calamus essential oil can cause visual hallucinations.
In cosmetology
In this area of medicine, calamus is primarily a drug for hair growth. The extract from the root prevents harmful bacteria from entering the skin, refreshes and tones the skin, reduces inflammation and works as an anesthetic. In addition, it eliminates the rash and slightly whitens the skin. The root itself dynamically revives the metabolism in the hair follicles, normalizes cell respiration; eliminates itching, husking and skin irritation, resists dandruff.
The oil from the root has the same properties, but, moreover, it is often used as an anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, antioxidant and spasmogonic agent. The main advantages of calamus in cosmetology are:
- help in strengthening the hair;
- stimulate growth and increase hair density;
- getting rid of dandruff;
- help in reducing the manifestation of oily seborrhea;
- effective treatment of the oral cavity and the removal of bad smell.
As extract, calamus is added to hair care products, as well as to skin, to various types of soap, cream, powder, lotions and perfumes.Other applications
Tatar potion has been used not only in official medicine and traditional healing:
- A plant strengthens the shores of large ponds and shallow waters.
- Decorate reservoirs (in harmony with the perennial, rush, calla).
- Also used in landscape design.
- Calamus root is used in the preparation of alcoholic beverages.
Benefits for men
Tatar potion showed high performance in eliminating intimate difficulties. It helps to heal:
- impotence;
- chronic inflammation of the prostate gland;
- bad semen;
- low sex drive.
Thanks to this healing means on the basis of the Tatar potion contribute to the elimination of impotence, which has unclear reasons and conditions for its occurrence. The use of these funds also stimulates the acceleration of hemodynamics, normalizes cellular metabolism. As a result, the duration of sexual intercourse is resumed. Tatar potion helps in the fight against such a common male disease, like inflammation of the prostate gland or prostatitis. Infusion potions in this case enhances the effect of drug therapy.Cooking Application
In cooking, the black root is mainly used as a spicy-flavored seasoning. The aroma of the plant is similar to the aroma of roses and citrus, and it tastes tart. It is used to make various canned fish.
This plant can be used as a substitute for bay leaf, cinnamon and ginger.In the confectionery business, the root is most often used in candied form. It acts as a substitute for expensive spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon. The aroma of the irroot root is well combined with fruit compotes, jelly and juices. Candied fruits are used as decoration of dessert dishes or as an independent dish for tea.
Harm and contraindications
Despite its many healing properties, calamus also has contraindications. Before using these or other plant-based products, make sure that they are not available. 
Air can not be used:
- any bleeding;
- hypotension;
- acidity of the stomach is higher than normal;
- exacerbation of stomach ulcers;
- severe renal impairment.
Collection and preparation of raw materials
The root of the Tatar potion is collected in the spring and autumn, but the main collection is still in the autumn, because in spring it is difficult because of the flood of the rivers. And in the autumn time, the water level in natural waters decreases and rhizomes become easier to remove with pitchforks from sludge. Then the roots are carefully washed from the dirt, knives are cleaned with small roots and thin leaves, and then dried in the open air.
Fresh rhizomes are cut into pieces 15-20 cm long; thick roots, moreover, divide along. Then the finished pieces are dried. Also, the harvesting of the roots of the Tatar grass is produced in the form freed from the bark. With this preform, the removal of bark and separation into pieces are made after wilting. This method allows you to save the white color of rhizomes, i.e., the usefulness of raw materials. 
Directly drying is carried out as follows: in a sufficiently ventilated room or in attics under an iron roof on large pieces of fabric (matter), grids or other devices, rhizomes are laid out in one row and dried at a temperature of no more than 30-35 ° C (if more oils). The suitability is determined in a simple way: if the rhizomes break easily and on the white-pink fault (less often with a yellowish or greenish tinge), it means that they are dried enough. Store in a dry and cool place, no more than two or three years.
Cooking recipes
Recommendations for the preparation of drugs from the irroot are simple and accessible to everyone, but you should always remember the rule: the higher the concentration of the drug - the lower the dosage.
Tincture
It will help with epilepsy, hysteria, amnesia. It will also be useful in the treatment of gastric ulcers, chronic inflammation of the prostate gland with acidity below normal, and even with diarrhea.
- With cholecystitis and kidney stones: grind 20 g of dried root, mix with 100 g of vodka, and let it infuse for two weeks in a place inaccessible to light. After filter and pour into glassware. Drink before meals for 15-30 drops three times a day.
- From nausea with vomiting and toothache: chop the dried leaves of calamus and pour 70% alcohol. The composition should be infused in a place inaccessible for light for a week, then drink 20 drops three times a day before eating.
Decoction
This drug will help in normalizing sleep, increase the functioning of brain cells. Still useful in strengthening and growing hair.
- For lotions and washing of ulcers and wounds: 2 tablespoons of finely chopped dry calamus boil in 250 ml of water from twenty minutes to half an hour. Allow to cool completely, then drain and add boiled water to the initial amount.
- For pneumonia: in a closed container of 200 mg of water, boil 6 g of calamus for half an hour. Drain and add boiled water to the primary volume. Drink three times a day after meals, 2 tablespoons.
- To stimulate the liver: finely chop 3 teaspoons of rhizome and pour 400 ml of water. 15 minutes let it boil in a sealed container. Drink half a glass before meals.
- To improve the digestive process: 15 g of roots pour 500-700 ml of water, boil in a sealed container for a quarter of an hour. Drink three cups daily.
Important! Broths from plants, which include tannins, should be filtered as soon as they are removed from the fire.Nowadays calamus calamus is appreciated as a medicine both in traditional healing and in official medicine. Due to its healing properties, it is able to relieve many ailments. However, do not forget about contraindications, as well as about the danger of self-treatment.
