Acorus calamus (Sweet flag, वेखंड, वचा, बचा), Family: Araceae

This medicinal plant, Acorus calamus, commonly known as Sweet flag, grows in slushy soil. Though it can be grown in just moist soil like many other plants, it will thrive in a place where water stagnation occurs. Contrary to the belief that the roots have medicinal properties, it is the rhizome, thickened underground stem that has medicinal uses. Dehydrated stem can be stored for months and is available in market for medicinal uses. However, after about 6 months after dehydration, the stems lose their efficacy.

Acorus calamus

In one of the farms, where I visit as a consultant, we had planted this medicinal plant is mass. In that farm for trial I had made a small ditch by lining it with plastic sheet. It was filled with planting soil and a few saplings of Vekhand were planted in it. After planting, the ditch was watered to make soil slushy. Within 4 months, it showed excellent results. This encouraged us to do mass planting in the farm, where there used to be water stagnation in monsoon. This too proved quite successful.