Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market namePokarmool
Formal nameKushtha
Other names　　　

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Kuth (T), Kut (B), Kut, Kur, Pachak (H), Koshta (K), Kottam (M), Changala, Kustam (Te), Kostum (Ta), Kut, Kuth (N), Suwanda Kottan, Godamahanel (Sin)
English nameKuth, Costus
Original plant nameAucklandia lappa Decne. (= Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke), Kuth, Costus
Family nameCompositae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification root
Collection informationIndia, New Delhi, Hans Raj & Sons
Collection date1991/05/07
CollectorTsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.12513

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
Production area information
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28.6139391
77.20902120000005
Collection information
India,New Delhi
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Kustha, Kuth, Costus
SynonymsUtpalakustham, Vapyam, Ramam, Nirajam, Surabhi, Rogahvayam, Paribhavyam, Utpalam, Ruja, Agada, Amayam, Paribhadrakam, Kuberam
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Original plant nameAucklandia lappa Decne. (= Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke)
Family nameCompositae
Used partRoots
Distribution areaIt is endemic in the valley of Kashmir at 2500-3000m and also cultivated in Kashmir and neighbouring Himalayan regions. Found growing wild only in Jammu and Kashmir in the Kishenganga valley and higher elevations of Chenab valley.
RemarksEndemic, cultivated.
Common usesRoot is hot, bitter, sweetish, pungent, fattening, aphrodisiac, tonic, stomachic, carminative, stimulant, alternative and improves the complexion. It is used in the treatment of leucoderma, erysipelas, itching, scabies, ringworm, chronic skin diseases, cough, asthma, cholera, diseases of blood, bronchitis, vomiting, epilepsy, headache, chronic and foul ulcers, cephalagia, odontalgia, hysteria, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, leprosy, pruritus, hiccough, strangury, dysmenorrhoea/dysmenorrhea, amenorrhoea/amenorrhea, cardiopathy, gout, general debility, nervous disorders, and rheumatism. Oil from the root (Costus oil) has antiseptic and carminative properties.
Therapeutic usesTrt (thirst), Visarpa (erysipelas), Visa (poison), Dadru (a kind of skin disease), Kandu (itching), Kustha (skin diseases), Vatasra (arthritic conditions), Hikka (hiccough), Raktavikara (blood disorders), Pama (pemphigus), Kasa (cough), Vanti (vomiting), Vatavyadhi (rheumatic conditions), Jvara (fever)
Chemical constituentOthers
- Kuth roots contain resinoids (6%) and essential oil (1.5%) and alkaloid (0.05%), inulin (18%), a fixed oil and other minor constituents like tannins and sugars.

- The oil from root (Costus oil) yield 0.8 to 5.8% - contains sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpene alcohols.

- Main constituents: costunolide, dehydrocostus lactone, dihydro-dehydrocostus lactone, 12-methoxy dihydrocostunolide, costol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, betulin, aplotaxane, beta-selinine, beta-elemene, alpha-and beta-cinones, a C-13 ketone.

- Basic fraction (0.002%) of the alcoholic extract of the root contains the alkaloid saussurine, amino-acid, sesquiterpene-saussureamines A, B, C, D and E have been isolated from the roots.

- Roots also contain costunolide, dihydrocostunolide and a lignan.

Pharmacological effectCostus oil inhibits peristaltic movements of the gut and produces relaxation. Injection of the essential oil produces vasodilatation in the splanchnic area and produces a defenite stimulant action on circulation. It is absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and partly excreted by lungs producing an expectorant action and partly by the kidneys producing a diuretic action.

Delacatanised oil and some lactone fractions of the oil exhibit hypotensive, spasmolytic and bronchodilatory effects.
An alcoholic extract of the root containing both the essentail oil and the alkaloid has been found very useful in the treatment of bronchial asthma particularly of the vagotonic type. The total alkaloidal preparation of the drug has been used with great success both subcutaneously and orally and the relief obtained is said to be comparable to that of conventional bronchodilators without any side effects like a rise in blood pressure, tremor, sweating or headache even on repeated administration. As a useful drug for chronic bronchitis and asthma Tinctura Saussureae, devoid of the petroleum soluble fraction responsible for broncho-constrictor action, would be suitable.

Inhalation of the smoke of powdered drug produces a marked depression of the cerebral nervous system and for this reason it is smoked as a susbtitute for opium.

A process for treating costus roots or insulin obtained from them for the production of fructose has been reported. A parasiticide, containining costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone isolated from the plant is effective in controlling Anisakis infestation in human digestive tract. Alcoholic extract of the root has significant hypoglycaemic activity. An aqueous extract of the root possesses anti-anginal property. A traditional Chinese medicine comprising this root and other herbs is clinically useful for the treatment of alcoholism, epileptic seizure or other neural diseases.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent), Madhura (Sweet)
Virya (Potency)Usna (Hot)
Guna (Quality)Laghu (Light), Ruksa (Dry), Tiksna (Sharp)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Katu (Pungent)
Karma
(General action)		Kantikrt (increasing lusture), Vrsya (aphrodisiac)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases all three dosas
Dhatukarma(Action
on body tissues)		Sukrala (increasing reproductive tissue)
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Caksusya (good for eye)
Traditional usage1. Alkali of Ketaki (Pandanus odoratissimus) mixed with Svarjika (a type of alkali) and Kustha (Saussurea lappa) and taken with oil destroys "Gulma" (intestinal phantom tumours/tumors) caused by Vata.

2. A combination of Svarjika, Kustha and Saindhava (rock salt) with warm water is beneficial for intestinal tumour/tumor.

3. Kustha, Syama (Operculina petaloidea), Trivrt (Operculina turpethum), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Yavaksara (alkali of Hordeum vulgare) and Guggulu (Commiphora wightii) - all these together or Guggulu alone may be taken with cow's urine should be taken for phantom tumour/tumor.

4. The paste of Kustha and Saindhava mixed with Cukra (Rumex vesicarius) and oil and slightly heated is rubbed on the affected part, it removes cramps in the legs in "Visucika" (a type of indigestion with pain).

5. Bath of urine and water processed with Kustha, Tarkari (Clerodendrum phlomidis) and Citraka (Plumbago zeylanica) or Kulattha (Dolichos biflorus) and Sunthi (dry ginger) is beneficial and also the paste of Canda (Angelica archangelica) and Aguru (Aquilaria agallocha).

6. Kustha roasted on an earthen pan, powdered and mixed with oil. Its application destroys itching, discharge, burning sensation and pain.

7. Application of the paste of Kustha and Eranda (castor) root pounded with sour gruel removes headache and so do the flowers of Mucakunda (Pterospermum acerifolium).

8. After cutting the umbilical cord, umbilicus should be sprinkled with "Kustha taila" (oil) and thereafter the child should be bathed with decoction of latiferous trees and aromatic water.

9. "Suvarna bhasma" (processed powder of gold), Kustha and Vaca (Acorus calamus) mixed with honey and ghee - this taken as linctus promotes physique, mind, strength and intellect in children.

10. Kustha, Vaca, Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Suvarna bhasma mixed with honey and ghee - this linctus should be given to children, it improves complexion, life and lusture.

11. Tagara (Valeriana jatamansi) and Kustha mixed with ghee and honey - intake of this is useful in snake poisoning.

12. Kustha mixed with honey is also taken as snuff in snake poisoning.

13. Old ghee processed with Brahmi juice, Vaca, Kustha and Sankhapuspi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) alleviates insanity, inauspiciousness, epilepsy and sinful conditions.
FormulationKusthadi curna, Kusthadi taila, Dasanga lepa, Pippalyasava, Laghu visa garva taila, Kottamcukkadi tailam, Kottamcukkadi lepam.
Related drugsSaussurea heteromalla (D.Don) Raizada & Saxena (= Saussurea candicans C.B.Clarke)
CommentsSaussurea lappa is the accepted source of Kustha by most of the authors. Many of the synonyms of this plant are synonymous to the word "disease". Kustha is included in Sukrasodhana, Lekhaniya, Asthapanopaga gana of Caraka and Eladi gana of Susruta.
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 5 (Repr.1997), pp 80-83.

Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, 1956. Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. - New Edition (1996) National Institute Science Communication; Supplement
pp 222-223.

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 62.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol I, Ed. I, 1989. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dept. of Health, New Delhi
pp 76-77.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
1453.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 572-575.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 109.

RemarksRoots of Inula royleana DC, Inula racemosa Hook.f. and Carduus nutans L. (All Asteraceae) get mixed up quite often with Kuth in the drug market whereas roots of I. racemosa constitute a different Ayurvedic drug called Puskaramula.
Last renewal date2023/12/25
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