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Saussurea lappa - Kusta

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Kost

Saussurea costus is a species of thistle in the genus Saussurea native to South Asia. Essential oils extracted from the root is used in traditional medicine and in perfumes since ancient times.

Uses

cough, asthma, fever, ulcers, hair problems, Indigestion, gas problems, Intestinal diseases, cholera.

Parts Used

Roots, Stem.

Chemical Composition

Phytochemical analysis of S. lappa roots showed the presence of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, lignans, triterpenes, steroids, glycosides etc. S. lappa roots are rich source of sesquiterpenoids specially sesquiterpene lactones[1]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Changal Kustha
Hindi Kutha
Malayalam Kottam
Tamil Goshtam, Kosbtham, Kottam
Telugu Changalva Koshtu
Marathi Upleta, Kustha
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi Kuth
Kashmiri Kuth
Sanskrit Aalaya, Paakala
English Kust


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)

Guna

Laghu (Light)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kaphahara, Vatahara, Raktashodhaka, Varnya

Prabhava

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple trianglular Lower leaves are long-stalked, pinnate, 30-40 cm long, with a trianglular terminal leaflet

[2]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual 2-4cm long Purple 5-20 Flower-heads at the top of the stem and The flower-heads look like balls covered with purple bracts

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
General 7–10 mm clearly grooved lengthwise, Lowest hooked hairs aligned towards crown {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Division in spring.

How to plant/cultivate

Succeeds in most soils in a sunny well-drained position[3]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Casual in irrigated areas, Moist shady situation, Undergrowth in birch forest.

Photo Gallery

References

External Links