- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia and southern China
Asia · Herb · № 731
Dolomiaea costus (syn. Saussurea lappa, Aucklandia lappa)
Herb · Asia
Costus root (mu xiang)
Dolomiaea costus (syn. Saussurea lappa, Aucklandia lappa)
Traditionally attributed effects: moves the qi in spleen, stomach, intestine, liver and gallbladder; helps digest tonics.
Safety notes
Not with yin or blood deficiency. The wild plant is critically endangered (CITES Appendix I): use only cultivated root. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that regulate the qi'. According to Chinese medicine the fragrant root from the Himalaya regulates the qi in abdominal pain and bloating; it is part of Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan and the Japanese Kihito. In Ayurveda it is called kushtha and in Tibetan medicine ru rta. Wild costus is on the CITES list.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- pungent, bitter, warm
- Meridians
- spleen, liver, lung, gallbladder, large intestine, stomach
Attributed effects
For a distended, painful abdomen, nausea, vomiting and poor appetite from stagnation, pain in the flanks from stagnation of liver and gallbladder, and dysentery. Prevents heavy tonics from blocking digestion and cramps from laxatives.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, added only at the end.
Combinations
- With huang lian for dysentery
- With cardamom and bai zhu for qi stagnation in the middle
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction