COSTUS: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Costus (Saussurea costus) is an herb native to China and India. Its root and essential oil are used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani.

Costus root contains chemicals that might kill parasites and slow down activity in the intestines.

People use costus for parasite infections in the intestines and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for COSTUS overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Costus oil is commonly consumed in foods. But costus often contains a contaminant called aristolochic acid. Aristolochic acid damages the kidneys and causes cancer. Costus products that contain aristolochic acid are unsafe. Don't use a costus product unless lab tests prove it is free of aristolochic acid.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if costus is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if costus is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Costus may cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for COSTUS overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of costus might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Benezra, C. and Epstein, W. L. Molecular recognition patterns of sesquiterpene lactones in costus-sensitive patients. Contact Dermatitis 1986;15(4):223-230. View abstract.

Biswas, N. R., Biswas, K., Pandey, M., and Pandey, R. M. Treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and non-specific arthritis with a herbal drug: A double-blind, active drug controlled parallel study. JK Pract 1998;5:129-132.

Cheminat, A., Stampf, J. L., Benezra, C., Farrall, M. J., and Frechet, J. M. Allergic contact dermatitis to costus: removal of haptens with polymers. Acta Derm.Venereol. 1981;61(6):525-529. View abstract.

Chen, S. F., Li, Y. Q., and He, F. Y. [Effect of Saussurea lappa on gastric functions]. Zhongguo Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Za Zhi. 1994;14(7):406-408. View abstract.

Cho, J. Y., Baik, K. U., Jung, J. H., and Park, M. H. In vitro anti-inflammatory effects of cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, from Saussurea lappa. Eur.J Pharmacol. 6-23-2000;398(3):399-407. View abstract.

Damre, A. A., Damre, A. S., and Saraf, M. N. Evaluation of sesquiterpene lactone fraction of Saussurea lappa on transudative, exudative and proliferative phases of inflammation. Phytother.Res 2003;17(7):722-725. View abstract.

Gilani, A. H., Shah, A. J., and Yaeesh, S. Presence of cholinergic and calcium antagonist constituents in Saussurea lappa explains its use in constipation and spasm. Phytother.Res 2007;21(6):541-544. View abstract.

Jin, M., Lee, H. J., Ryu, J. H., and Chung, K. S. Inhibition of LPS-induced NO production and NF-kappaB activation by a sesquiterpene from Saussurea lappa. Arch.Pharm.Res 2000;23(1):54-58. View abstract.

Lee, H. J., Kim, N. Y., Jang, M. K., Son, H. J., Kim, K. M., Sohn, D. H., Lee, S. H., and Ryu, J. H. A sesquiterpene, dehydrocostus lactone, inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and TNF-alpha in LPS-activated macrophages. Planta Med 1999;65(2):104-108. View abstract.

Lirussi, D., Li, J., Prieto, J. M., Gennari, M., Buschiazzo, H., Rios, J. L., and Zaidenberg, A. Inhibition of Trypanosoma cruzi by plant extracts used in Chinese medicine. Fitoterapia 2004;75(7-8):718-723. View abstract.

Long, L., Soeken, K., and Ernst, E. Herbal medicines for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Rheumatology.(Oxford) 2001;40(7):779-793. View abstract.

Marzulli, F. N. and Maibach, H. I. Effects of vehicles and elicitation concentration in contact dermatitis testing. I. Experimental contact sensitization in humans. Contact Dermatitis 1976;2(6):325-329. View abstract.

Matsuda, H., Toguchida, I., Ninomiya, K., Kageura, T., Morikawa, T., and Yoshikawa, M. Effects of sesquiterpenes and amino acid-sesquiterpene conjugates from the roots of Saussurea lappa on inducible nitric oxide synthase and heat shock protein in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Bioorg.Med Chem. 3-6-2003;11(5):709-715. View abstract.

Mitchell, J. C. and Epstein, W. L. Contact hypersensitivity to a perfume material, Costus Absolute. The role of sesquiterpene lactones. Arch.Dermatol 1974;110(6):871-873. View abstract.

Mitchell, J. C. Contact hypersensitivity to some perfume materials. Contact Dermatitis 1975;1(4):196-199. View abstract.

Pandey, M. M., Rastogi, S., and Rawat, A. K. Saussurea costus: botanical, chemical and pharmacological review of an ayurvedic medicinal plant. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-4-2007;110(3):379-390. View abstract.

RAGHAVAN, P., NAGENDRA, A. S., and DUTTA, N. K. Total alkaloids of Saussurea lappa in treatment of bronchial asthma. An assessment of its therapeutic value by clinical and ventilatory function studies. J Postgrad.Med 1962;8:158-169. View abstract.

Rhee, J. K., Baek, B. K., and Ahn, B. Z. Alternations of Clonorchis sinensis EPG by administration of herbs in rabbits. Am J Chin Med 1985;13(1-4):65-69. View abstract.

Rhee, J. K., Baek, B. K., and Ahn, B. Z. Structural investigation on the effects of the herbs on Clonorchis sinensis in rabbits. Am J Chin Med 1985;13(1-4):119-125. View abstract.

Taniguchi, M., Kataoka, T., Suzuki, H., Uramoto, M., Ando, M., Arao, K., Magae, J., Nishimura, T., Otake, N., and Nagai, K. Costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone as inhibitors of killing function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Biosci.Biotechnol.Biochem. 1995;59(11):2064-2067. View abstract.

Wang, H. B., Zuo, J. P., and Qin, G. W. One new sesquiterpene from Saussurea laniceps. Fitoterapia 2010;81(7):937-939. View abstract.

Yaeesh, S., Jamal, Q., Shah, A. J., and Gilani, A. H. Antihepatotoxic activity of Saussurea lappa extract on D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatitis in mice. Phytother.Res 2010;24 Suppl 2:S229-S232. View abstract.

Zhao, F., Xu, H., He, E. Q., Jiang, Y. T., and Liu, K. Inhibitory effects of sesquiterpenes from Saussurea lappa on the overproduction of nitric oxide and TNF-alpha release in LPS-activated macrophages. J Asian Nat.Prod.Res 2008;10(11-12):1045-1053. View abstract.

Akhtar MS, Riffat S. Field trial of Saussurea lappa roots against nematodes and Nigella sativa seeds against cestodes in children. J Pak Med Assoc 1991;41:185-7. View abstract.

Choi DH, Kim JY, An JH, Sung SH, Kong HS. Effects of Saussurea costus on apoptosis imbalance and inflammation in benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Oct 28;279:114349. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Lewis CJ, Alpert S. Letter to health care professionals -- FDA concerned about botanical products, including dietary supplements, containing aristolochic acid. Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, Dietary Supplements. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. May 31, 2000.

Liu JH, Hsieh CH, Liu CY, Chang CW, Chen YJ, Tsai TH. Anti-inflammatory effects of Radix Aucklandiae herbal preparation ameliorate intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 May 10;271:113912. View abstract.

Zahara K, Tabassum S, Sabir S, et al. A review of therapeutic potential of Saussurea lappa-An endangered plant from Himalaya. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2014;7S1:S60-9. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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