Kustha (कुष्ठम्) – Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke

Family: Asteraceae (Compositae)

1. Synonyms (पर्याय नामानि)

• Sanskrit: कुष्ठम् (Kustham), रोगाह्वयम् (Rogahvayam), वाप्यम् (Vāpyam), पारिभाव्यम् (Paribhāvyam), उत्पलम् (Utpalam), कश्मीरजम् (Kāśmīrajam), पाकलम् (Pākalam), रामम् (Rāmam), वानीरजम् (Vānīrajam), कौरव्यम् (Kauravyam)
• English: Costus, Kutha
• Meaning (Etymology):
• "कुष्ठ" – that which cures various diseases (esp. of vāta-kapha origin).
• "उत्पलम्" – removes burning sensation, flowers like lotus.
• "काश्मीरजम्" – grows in Kashmir.

2. Regional Names

• Hindi: Kūtha (कूठ), Kūta (कूट), Kusta (कुष्ट)
• Bengali: Pācaka (पाचक), Kura (कुर)
• Marathi: Kotha, Upaleta
• Kannada: Kosta
• Telugu: Vengulakostam
• Punjabi: Kudhdha, Kuta, Kotha
• Tamil: Kostham, Gostham
• Persian: Kusha-e-Talkha
• English: Kutha, Costus

3. Botanical Description

• A tall, stout perennial herb with tuberous roots having a characteristic aromatic smell.
• Habitat: Moist slopes of Kashmir valleys at 8,000–9,000 ft altitude.
• Leaves:
• Radical leaves: up to 1 m, lobately winged.
• Cauline leaves: membranous, rough above, smooth beneath, irregularly toothed.
• Flowers: Dark blue, purple, almost black; borne in subglobose heads.
• Fruits: Compressed achenes with narrow tips.
• Flowering/Fruiting: September–November.
• Root: Brown, brittle, resinous, with pleasant perfume; widely used in perfumery and for protection of fabrics against insects.

4. Chemical Constituents

• Roots/Leaves contain:
• Alkaloids & Lactones: Saussurine, alantolactone, isoalantolactone, costunolide, dehydrocostuslactone, isodehydrocostuslactone.
• Triterpenes: α-amyrin stearate, β-amyrin palmitate, lupeol palmitate, taraxasterol, betulin, friedelin.
• Essential oils: α- & β-costol, α- & β-selinenes, caryophyllene oxide, bergamotene, elemene.
• Sterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol (and dihydro derivative).
• Other compounds: Inulin, amino acids, fatty acids (linoleic, oleic, palmitic).

5. Properties and Therapeutic Uses (गुण एवं उपयोग)

• Rasa (Taste): Pungent (कटु), Bitter (तिक्त), Sweet (मधुर)
• Guna (Qualities): Laghu (light)
• Virya (Potency): Ushna (hot)
• Dosa Karma: Pacifies Vāta and Kapha
• Dhatu: Promotes Śukra dhātu

Pharmacological Actions

• Deepana (Appetizer), Pācana (Digestive), Stimulant, Expectorant, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Antiseptic, Rasāyana (Rejuvenator), Emmenagogue.

Therapeutic Uses

• Respiratory Disorders – Bronchial asthma, cough, persistent hiccup (relaxes bronchial muscles, strong expectorant action).
• Digestive Disorders – Indigestion, tympanites, diarrhoea, visuchika, ascites (esp. cardiac origin).
• Rheumatism – Internal & external use with castor oil.
• Nervous Disorders – Epilepsy, psychological disorders, headache, insomnia.
• Skin Disorders – Chronic skin infections, boils, erysipelas.
• Gynaecological – Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea.
• General – Rasayana for rejuvenation (taken with ghee & honey).
• Hair Care – In oils for preventing premature greying, scalp disorders.

6. Doses

• Powder (Churna): 250 mg – 1.5 g (with honey, ghee, or warm water)
• Alcoholic Extract: 15–30 ml, 3–4 times daily (esp. in asthma attacks)

✅ Summary:
Kustha (Saussurea lappa) is a highly valued Ayurvedic herb, primarily sourced from Kashmir. Renowned for its fragrant root, it is both a medicine and a perfume ingredient. It is effective against vāta-kapha disorders, especially asthma, indigestion, rheumatism, and skin diseases. It also works as a rejuvenator and is widely used in hair care formulations.