Kushta – Saussurea lappa – Benefits, Usage,

Dose, Side Effects

Kushta or Indian costus root is famous Ayurvedic herb used in treating gout, skin diseases,
respiratory disorders etc. Its botanical name is Saussurea lappa.

Botanical Name– Saussurea lappa C.B Clarke

Family – ASTERACEAE – Bhrungaraja Kula
Vernacular Name
Hindi Name– Kuth,
English Name- Indian Costus root, Kuth
Telugu– Changaluva- Kosthu, Kushtam
Tamil Name- Koshtam
Malayalam Name– Kottam, Seyuddi
Bengali name – Kood
Gujarathi name – Kudu, Upalet
Kannada name – Koshta
Farsi name – Kust-E-Talkh
Arabi name – Kuste

Sanskrit Synonyms–
Utpala – grows in moist places
Kashmira – grows in Kashmir,
Vapya, Gada, Agada, Ama, Amaya, Kapalam, Kouderam, Japyam, Tvakdosa, Divya, Durnama,
Padmaka, Paribhadraka, Mansanjnaka, Ramam, Ruk, Rogahva.

Classical Categorization–
Charaka–
Sukrasodhana – group of herbs that cleanse semen, correct sperm morphology
Lekhaniya – group of herbs that have scraping, fat reducing activity
Asthapanopaga – group of herbs used in Basti treatment.
Sushruta and Vagbhata – Eladi Gana

Distribution- Kashmir and Alpine Himalayan ranges at 8,000- 12,000 feet

Major chemical constituents-

Essential oil, costol, taraxas- terol, costunolide, Dehydro constuhactone, alpha-
Cyclocostunolide, sitosterol, Sesquiterpenes, Ar- curcumene, isodihydrocostuslacttone, costol-
lactone etc.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Medicinal qualities
Rasa (taste) – Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent), Madhura (sweet)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (lightness), Rooksha (dryness), Teekshna (piercing, reaches deep
tissues)
Virya– Ushna – hot potency

Effect on Tridosha – Because of its bitter and pungent tastes, it balances Kapha nd because of
its sweet taste and hot potency, it balances Kapha.

Part Used– Root

Therapeutic benefits of Saussurea lappa –

Of all the herbs used in external application and oil massage for Vata balance, Kushta herb is the
best. Hence it is the main ingredient in pain relieving oils – Kottamchukkadi taila, Narayan
Oil, Bala Tel

It is used for external application in headache, tooth ache, osteo-arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis
and balding.
shukrala – increases sperm count
Vatasrahara – useful in gout treatment
Visarpa – useful in herpes
Kasahara – relieves cough, cold
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Shwasahara – useful in asthma, COPD and other respiratory diseases
Hikkahara – relieves hiccups
Jwarahara – useful in fever
It is used in the treatment of epilepsy
It is hepato-protective (protects liver against degeneration)
It is a good anti-viral herb
The oil extracted from Costus root is also used for anti inflammatory and pain relieving
purposes.
It helps to lower blood pressure.
Dosage– Powder 1-2 grams in divided doses per day, is the maximum safe dose for this herb.

Research articles –
Efficacy in Ischemic heart disease

Side effects and precautions–

Pregnant and lactating mothers should seek medical advice before taking this herb.
People with high BP should take extra precaution, as this herb can lower BP.

Indian Cosuts root as dusting powder:

Charaka explained Kushta as one among Avachurnana dravya, along with herbs like
Musta, Vidanga, Sarjarasa, Lodhra, Daru haridra etc. The body of the patient is smeared with
sesame oil. Then the body is dusted with the above powder mix. Dusting process is called
Avachurnana.
It relieves Kitibha – ringworm, Kandu – pruritus, Pama – keloids, Vicharchika – Eczema.
Reference: (Charaka Sutrasthana 5th chapter)

External application:
Paste prepared with costus root along with Tagara, dill seeds, Licorice, sandalwood and ghee is
used to apply externally to relieve headache, shoulder and back pain. Reference: Charaka
Samhita Rajayakshma Chikitsa.

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1. Elephant dung
2. Sandalwood
3. Raktachandan
4. Dhoop
5. Bannalo,(Vetiver)
6. Guggul
7. Jaggery
8. Cow’s ghee
9. Kushtha (Saussurea lappa)
10. Laghu
11. Jatamansi
12. Nakhala
13. Nakhagandha
14. Raal शशश शश शशशश (Shorea robusta)
15. Kshaudra(honey)

ददददद ददद (Dashang Dhoop)

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