Synonyms:kuth, kut, costus

Biological source: Sausurea is the dried Roots

Of Saussurea lappa C.B Clarke
 Family: Compositae
 Geographical Source: The plants is found in
India and Pakistan at altitudes from 2700m to
4300.It Is cultivated in the Himalayan region
of Kashmir and Garhwal of India
 Saussurea is a robust,erect,perennial herb,1-
2 meters in height,with large cordate,radicle
and alternate leaves.it requires a cool and
humid climate.a deep rich porous soil is
prefeered and plants growing on such soils
develop long and thick roots.it can be
propageted either by root cuttinas the snow
melts.for propagation by seed under
propagation purposes are collected in
september from the crop.the seeds retain
their viability for a year or more
 In nature the seed is shed in autumn,lies under
the snow in winter and begins to sprout during
april-june as the snow melts.For propagation by
seed under cultivation the same time table is
adopted or seed can be shown in spring also
seeds can be sown in nursery and the seedlings
transplanted at A spacing of 8.9 M into 0.9 M
when they are one year old.Direct showing also
give successfull results.The shoots die back is
winter and recommends growings when the
winter snow melts in the following spring roots
are harvested during october they are dried and
cut into pieces 10 cm long and dried in the sun
 Saussurea roots are 7-15 cm long,1-5.5 cm
wide.The roots are fusiform or conical and
tapering,collapse in the centre; thin roots are
cylindrical,broad,light and stout,usually
contain longitudinally wrinkles with
anastomose or ridges running straight or
spiral :fresh roots are brown or dull-red ;
fracture is short and horny: odour is
strong,sweet and aromatic and taste is bitter
 Saussurea contains volatile oil(1.5-
2.5%),potassium nitrate,sugars,kushtin,and
bitter resin.The essential oil is the mixture of
sesquilterpene lactones like costuslactone
and its
dihydrocostunolide,costal,aplotoxin,alpha
and beta costenes,phellandrane,camophene
and terpene alcohol. Saussurea also consists
of stigmasterol,betulin,aplotaxene,beta-
selinene.
 Saussurea roots have
tonic,disinfectant,stomachic,spasmolytic,car
minative and stimulant properties and are
used as spasmodic in asthma,cough and
cholera and as alterative in chronic skin
disease and rheumatism.It is also used for
preserving silk and expensive wool fabrics as
an incense in religious ceremonies and as
insect repellent
Biological source: Source : It is volatile oil obtained
by the process of Steam distillation of the dried
roots of the Saussurea lappa C.B Clarke, Family:
Compositeae
Geographical Source; Geographical Source: The
plants is found in India and Pakistan at altitudes
from 2700m to 4300.It Is cultivated in the
Himalayan region of Kashmir and Garhwal of
India


It possess light yellow to brown colour with its Specific
Gravity at 25˚C = 0.970 to 1.035; Refractive Index at
25˚C = 1.5000 to 1.5700 and Optical Rotation = +10˚
to +30˚ It possess tenaceous taste and aromatic and
fragrant odour.
 The essential oil is the mixture of
sesquilterpene lactones like costuslactone
and its dihydrocostunolide, costal, aplotoxin,
alpha and beta costenes, phellandrane,
camophene and terpene alcohol.
 The essential oil has antiseptic and disinfectant
properties. It relaxes the involuntary muscle tissues and
serves as a cardiac stimulant. It relieves flatulence and
is a diuretic. It is also useful in removing catarrhal
matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes.