Calamus / Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) is a spicy essential oil with a warm, spicy, leathery aroma and a base note. Steam distillation from rhizome, it is a versatile blending oil. For topical use, keep dilution at or below 0.12%.
Sweet flag rhizome oil. Contains beta-asarone (carcinogenic). Indian variety: 0% use. Diploid: 0.12% max.
Aroma & character
Aroma
Properties
| Perfumery note | Base |
| Aroma family | Spicy |
| Chemical family | Ether |
| Material type | Essential oil |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Plant part | rhizome |
| Origin | India, Nepal, China |
| Blending factor | 3 |
| Volatility index | 4 |
| Tenacity (hours) | 18.0 |
Safety & dilution
Contains beta-asarone (carcinogenic). Indian tetraploid variety MUST NOT be used (up to 96% beta-asarone). Only European diploid variety permitted at max 0.12%. EU restricted. IFRA limit 0.01% beta-asarone in finished product.
| Max topical dilution | 0.12% |
| Max facial dilution | 0.05% |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended |
| Nursing | Not recommended |
| Children | Not recommended for young children |
| Cats | Not recommended |
| Dogs | Not recommended |
Safety flags
Evidence: Traditional — EODB: 39 GC-MS analyses (Acorus calamus).
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.
Plan safe amounts with our essential oil dilution calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What does Calamus / Sweet Flag smell like?
Calamus / Sweet Flag has a warm, spicy, leathery aroma, classed as a spicy oil with a base note.
What is the safe dilution for Calamus / Sweet Flag?
For topical use, keep Calamus / Sweet Flag at or below 0.12%, and 0.05% on facial skin. Always patch-test before wider use.
Is Calamus / Sweet Flag safe to use during pregnancy?
Calamus / Sweet Flag carries a pregnancy caution in our dataset and is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before any use.
Is Calamus / Sweet Flag safe to use around children?
Calamus / Sweet Flag is not recommended for young children. Consult a professional before use.
Is Calamus / Sweet Flag safe around pets?
For cats — avoid; not considered safe; dogs — avoid; not considered safe. Diffuse only in ventilated spaces and consult a veterinarian.