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Specimen profile
Costus Root
Saussurea costus · Asteraceae
Skt · Kushtha — “That which resides within the body to destroy stubborn diseases”Hindi · KuthMal · KottamTam · Kostam
A fragrant Himalayan perennial herb famed for its aromatic roots used in respiratory and skin medicine.
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Saussurea costus is a robust alpine perennial bearing stout purplish-black flower heads and highly fragrant rootstocks. Highly celebrated since the Vedic era, its roots are packed with essential oils that warm cold Vata-Kapha obstructions. It clears bronchial congestion, relieves spasmodic cough, and brightens dull, afflicted skin.
Identification markers
Tall herb up to 2 meters, large lyrate basal leaves, dark purple sessile flowers crowded in terminal heads, and fragrant fibrous roots.
Rasa
Tikta, Katu, Madhura
Guna
Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
Virya
Ushna
Vipaka
Katu
Prabhava
Shukrala and Vranaropana
Dosha effect
VK- P+
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