Costus Root, China (Saussurea lappa)

Saussurea lappa

Unit size: 1 ounce
Origin: China
Form: Sliced root pieces
Other names: Saussurea costus (syn), Kut Root, Kushta, Kushtha, Kust, Mu Xiang, Patchak, Quang Mu Xiang
Esoteric Uses: unknown
Esoteric Associations: Saturn, Earth
Incense Aroma:

Costus is a legendary aromatic and medicinal plant which grows at high altitudes in the himalayan region and in kashmir and himachal pradesh. The aromatic roots are also used in obtaining essential oil, which is used in perfumeries, incenses, and in hair tonic. The root of Saussurea costus has been used as an incense and perfume ingredient for thousands of years and is mentioned in rabbinical writings as koshet, reflecting its arrowhead shape. It was used in Ketoret which is used when referring to the consecrated incense described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. It is also referred to as the HaKetoret (the incense). It was offered on the specialized incense altar in the time when the Tabernacle was located in the First and Second Jerusalem Temples. The ketoret was an important component of the Temple service in Jerusalem.

The roots are bitter, acrid, sweet, thermogenic, aromatic, deodorant, aphrodisiac, anodyne, carminative, digestive, stomachic, diaphoretic, stimulant, alternate, depurative, galatagogue, diuretic, disinfectant, antibacterial, antispasmodic, expectorant, febrifuge, skin stimulant and tonic. The roots are useful in chronic and foul ulcers, cough, asthma, bronchitis, flatulence, cholera, leprosy, leucoderma, jaundice, liver problems, skin diseases, ringworm, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, hiccough, hysteria, cardiac disorder, gout, and general debility. Oil from the root is very beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism. It is also used in the treatment of swelling and fullness of the stomach.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the root is one of the 50 fundamental herbs. It has the name pinyin: yún mù xiāng, meaning “wood aroma”. It forms a main ingredient in the Chinese pastille rods known as joss sticks. It is also used as incense. In Tibet the root was and is used extensively as incense and medicine. In the Ayurveda of India the name Kushta refers to an ancient Vedic plant god mentioned in the Atharvaveda as a remedy for takman, the archetypal disease of excess or jvara (fever). In ancient India Kushta (Costus) was considered to be a divine plant derived from heavenly sources, growing high in the Himalayas, considered to be the brother of the divine Soma. In Ayurveda Kushta is a rasayana for Vata, helping to normalize and strengthen digestion, cleanse the body of toxic accumulations, enhance fertility, and reduce pain. In India it is also given as a medicine for cough, asthma, fever, and cholera. Its dried powder is the principal ingredient in an ointment for ulcers. It is also a hair wash.

“Costus” in Greek means “from the East” referring to the Indian lower Himalaya from where the spice was imported into Rome and Greece.

This is herb grade Costus.

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