BOTANICAL NAME

COSTUS SPECIOSUS

FAMILY

ZINGIBERACEAE

SUBSTITUTE

Not Available

OTHER NAMES

SANSKRIT : Kebuk, Kembuk, Bramhatirtha, Canda, Kashmeera, Kashmira, Kasmira, Kemuka, Kushtha, Kushthabheda, Padmakarna, Padmapatra, Padmapatramulira, Padmapunya, Padmavarnaka, Paushkara, Pushkara, Pushkarajata, Pushkaramula, Pushkaramulaka, Pushkarashifa, Sagara, Shulaghna, Shura, Shvasari, Subandhu, Virapushkaravhaya, Vrkisharuha

HINDI : Kebu, Peyun, Kebu, Keu, Keyu, Kust, Mahalakri

DISTRIBUTION

The species is widely distributed in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar (earlier Burma), Malaysia, New Guinea, Australia, China, SriLanka and Taiwan. This species enjoys a wide distribution throughout India up to an altitude of 1200 m, mostly occurring in moist, partially shaded localities. Within India its geographical distribution is in the sub-Himalayan tract from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh eastwards to Arunachal Pradesh ; and in the Western ghats in Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, it occurs in the districts of Mysore, Chickmagalur, Coorg, North and South Kanara and Shimoga. In Kerala, it is present in the districts of Cannanore, Palghat, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Nilambur. The plant also occurs as a weed in orchards, boundaries of cultivated fields, in the depressions along roads and rail tracks and forest margins situated close to habitation. This species is globally distributed in Indo-Malesia. Within India it is commonly found throughout up to an altitude of 1800 m, in the moist, shady localities under the deciduous forests; also cultivated for ornament.

DOSE

Churna 3 - 6 gm, Swaras 0 -20 ml

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Tigogenin, Diosgenin, Saponin, Palmitic, Stearic, Oleic, Linoleic acid, Arachidic acid, Gadoleic, Behenic acid

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Laghu, Ruksha

Tikt, Kashay

Katu

Sheet

Garbhashay-snakochak

THERAPEUTIC USES

Abdominal disorders

Skin ailments

Anti-pyretic

Cough

Respiratory disorders

FORMULATIONS (Yog)

Kumaryasava (b)