Kalmus root has been used in Asia for at least 2000 years for several different reasons. The ancient Chinese used it to prevent bloating and constipation, as they experienced an improvement in intestinal muscle contractions.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Kalmus root has been used as a remedy for fever, asthma and bronchitis, as well as a sedative.
The root has also been used by the ancient Greeks and many other European cultures for gastrointestinal problems (everything from reflux to constipation), including ulcers, inflammation of the lining of the stomach (gastritis), intestinal gas (flatulence), and upset stomach.