Vacha (Acorus calamus L.) is a herb extensively used in the Indian system of medicine belongs to the family Araceae. As traditional medicine, the plant is useful in diarrhea, slurred speech, headache, edema, skin diseases, eye diseases, colic, piles, indigestion, acid gastritis, heart disease and ear diseases. Vacha is mentioned as one of the Rasayana dravya and its regular intake is said to make one endowed with sharp intellect and sweet voice. Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of the dried rhizomes as a brain tonic in weak memory, psychoneurosis and epilepsy. The chemical constituent reveals the presence of asarone, beta-asarone, eugenol, methyl eugenol, tannins and essential oil which are valuable in wide range of ailments. Here an attempt has been made to compile the detail information of the drug Vacha mentioned in historical era and modern era giving a scope for further researches.
