Latin Name: Saussurea lappa
English Name: Costus
Sanskrit / Indian Name: Kushtha

An erect robust perennial herb, the dried roots of which constitute the drug.

The roots contain resinoids, essential oil, alkaloid, inulin, a fixed oil and other minor constituents like tannins and sugars. The essential oil of the roots has strong antiseptic, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties. An alcoholic extract of the herb has been found very useful in the treatment of bronchial asthma.