Calamus water hair washing on Dano: ancient Korean beauty wisdom

As South Korea approaches Dano, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, a traditional custom of washing hair with calamus water is gaining attention for its historical significance and scientific benefits. This practice, observed at folk villages like the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, was historically performed to cleanse the body and spirit, warding off bad luck and promoting good health for the upcoming harvest season.

The use of calamus (changpo) in traditional Korean beauty rituals is far from mere superstition. Modern analysis reveals that the plant's roots and leaves are rich in volatile essential oil compounds like asarone and saponins. These natural ingredients possess potent antimicrobial properties, effectively soothing itchy scalps and inhibiting the formation of dandruff. The plant's strong fragrance also served a practical purpose, historically repelling insects and pests common during the summer months.

Beyond its cleansing and antimicrobial effects, calamus water also acts as a natural hair conditioner. In times when alkaline soaps or lye were used for washing, hair could become dry and brittle due to protein degradation. Rinsing with calamus water, which contains tannins, helped to smooth the hair's surface, replenish moisture, and restore shine, offering a natural alternative to modern hair treatments.

Historically, calamus was also valued in traditional Korean medicine for its calming properties, used to alleviate anxiety, insomnia, and memory issues associated with stress. While the calamus used for hair washing is distinct from the *Acorus gramineus* (seokchangpo) mentioned in texts like Dongui Bogam for cognitive enhancement, the traditional practice highlights an ancient understanding of natural remedies. Today, the wisdom of using calamus is being integrated into contemporary hair care, with companies developing natural soaps and anti-hair loss shampoos that leverage its beneficial properties for scalp health and hair vitality.