The chief constituent of Calamus is a bitter aromatic volatile oil, contains between 1.5 to 3.5 per cent. The chief aromatic constituent of calamus oil is asaryl alcohol; eugenol, asarone, and other bodies have also been found in it.
Calamus oil also acts as a carminative, removing the discomfort caused by flatulence and checking the growth of the bacteria which give rise to it. It is used to increase the appetite and benefit digestion. It may be given in the form of fluidextract, infusion or tincture. The essential oil is used as an addition to inhalations.