SCIENTIFIC NAME: Saussurea lapa, S. costus

 

HINDI NAME: Kushta or Kuth

 

ENGLISH NAME: Indian Costus root

 

FAMILY: Asteraceae

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Kushta is a Vata & Kapha balancing Rasayana with bitter and little pungent taste and is said to help regulate and strengthen digestion, cleanse the body of toxic accumulations, improve fertility, and alleviate pain. The root is the part used for medicinal purposes. It affects practically all of the bodily channels in the human system and balances all doshas and dhatus.

USES & HEALTH BENEFITS

• Has anti-arthritic action
• Wound healing action
• Relieves headache 
• Effective in healing skin diseases like eczema, leprosy etc
• Helps increase sperm count
• Effective in respiratory conditions like asthma & COPD
• Hepato-protective
• Anti-viral action
• Anti-convulsant 

PRECAUTIONS & SIDE EFFECTS

• Acidity can be caused by consuming too much Kushta.
• Due to its hot potency, it may produce allergic responses such as dermatitis.
• If taken in excess, it might discolour teeth and cause skin peeling.
• If you are using anti-diabetic medications or have a heart condition, you should avoid Kuth or see your doctor before taking it.
• Avoid using it during pregnancy and nursing.

HOW TO USE

• A good home treatment for dyspepsia is to mix Kushta powder with honey.
• When used with coconut oil, kustha oil may help to relieve bone and joint pain.
• Combine 4-8 drops of Kushta oil with 1-2 tablespoons coconut oil in a small mixing bowl. Once or twice a day, apply to the afflicted region. Rep for faster wound healing.
• Use face steam for 5-10 minutes & add 4-8 drops of Kushta oil to relieve a headache once or twice a day. Or take 3 gm root powder with honey for 3 days to relieve migraine headaches.
• Take 2 gm Kushta root powder with 1 tsp of eranda oil, to treat rheumatoid arthritis condition.