The tetraploid variety of A. calamus found in India contains around 75% of β–asarone.[ 113 ] However, it may not be ruled out that ancient Indian physicians were well aware of its toxic effects such as carcinogenicity and mutagenecity and to overcome these effects they might have recommended the Śodhana procedure.[ 12 114 ] The Śodhana procedure involves boiling of Vacā successively by Gomūtra, Muṇḍīkvātha (decoction prepared from whole plant of Sphaeranthus indicus ) and Pañcapallava kvātha for 3 h.