View source for Biology:Saussurea costus

{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Taxobox
|name = ''Saussurea costus''
|image = Saussurea ¿ costus ? (7839595576).jpg
|regnum = Plantae
|unranked_divisio = [[Biology:Angiosperms|Angiosperms]]
|unranked_classis = [[Biology:Eudicots|Eudicots]]
|unranked_ordo = [[Biology:Asterids|Asterids]]
|ordo = [[Biology:Asterales|Asterales]]
|familia = [[Biology:Asteraceae|Asteraceae]]
|tribus = [[Biology:Cynareae|Cynareae]]
|genus = ''[[Biology:Saussurea|Saussurea]]''
|species = '''''S. costus'''''
|binomial = ''Saussurea costus''
|binomial_authority = (Falc.) Lipsch.<ref>{{GRIN | accessdate=2008-02-12 }}</ref><ref name=bac>{{Cite journal|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|title=Kuth (Saussurea lappa) cultivation in the cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley, northwestern Himalaya, India: arising threats and need to revive socio-economic values|author=Chandra P. Kuniyal, Yashwant S. Rawat, Santaram S. Oinam, Jagdish C. Kuniyal and Subhash C. R. Vishvakarma|volume=14|issue=5|page=1035|year=2005|doi=10.1007/s10531-004-4365-x|s2cid=43549529}}</ref>
|synonyms_ref=<ref>{{GRIN | ''Aplotaxis lappa'' | 3713 | accessdate = 4 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="tpl">{{cite web|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-142953|title=''Saussurea costus'' (Falc.) Lipsch. |work=The Plant List v.1.1|publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Missouri Botanical Garden |access-date=21 January 2015}}</ref>
|synonyms=
* ''Aplotaxis lappa'' <small> Decne.</small>
* ''Aucklandia costus'' <small> Falc.</small>
* ''Aucklandia lappa'' <small> Decne.</small>
* ''Saussurea lappa'' <small> (Decne.) Sch.Bip.</small>
* ''Theodorea costus'' <small> Kuntze</small>
| status = CITES_A1
| status_system = CITES
}}

'''''Saussurea costus''''', commonly known as '''costus''', '''Indian costus,''' '''kuth''', or '''putchuk''',<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'', 3rd edition, 2007, [http://www.oed.com/view/Entry/155208 ''s.v.'']</ref> is a [[Biology:Species|species]] of [[Thistle|thistle]] in the [[Biology:Genus|genus]] ''[[Biology:Saussurea|Saussurea]]'' native to {{wipe|India}}. Rishi (Hindu) mystics of Kashmir especially ate this plant. Essential [[Chemistry:Essential oil|oil]]s extracted from the root have been used in [[Medicine:Traditional medicine|traditional medicine]] and in perfumes since ancient times.<ref name="lohn">{{cite journal|author1=Birgit Lohberger |author2=Beate Rinner |author3=Nicole Stuendl |author4=Heike Kaltenegger |author5=Bibiane Steinecker-Frohnwieser |author6=Eva Bernhart |author7=Ehsan Bonyadi Rad |author8=Annelie Martina Weinberg |author9=Andreas Leithner |author10=Rudolf Bauer |author11=Nadine Kretschmer  |name-list-style=amp |year=2013|title=Sesquiterpene Lactones Downregulate G2/M Cell Cycle Regulator Proteins and Affect the Invasive Potential of Human Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cells|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=8|issue=6|pages=e66300|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0066300|pmid=23799090 |pmc=3682952|bibcode=2013PLoSO...866300L }}</ref><ref name="samba">{{cite book|author=A.V.S.S. Sambamurty|title =Taxonomy of Angiosperms|publisher =I. K. International Pvt. Ltd.|year =2005|page=417|isbn = 9788188237166}}</ref> Saussurea Costus falls within the Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Asterales, Family: Compositae.<ref name=":0">Saha, D., Ved, D., Ravikumar, K. & Haridasan, K. 2015. ''Saussurea costus''. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T50126641A50131430</ref>  The genus Saussurea comprises about 300 species in the world (Bremer, 1994) of which 61 species are found in India.<ref name=":1">Kour, Sumeet, et al. “Conservation Strategies of Saussurea Costus, Critically Endangered Medicinal Herb Growing in Kashmir Himalaya- A Review .” ''International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)'' .</ref>

Aucklandia, also known as costus or ''Mu Xiang'', is the root of the plant ''Saussurea costus''. The root of the plant is the key part used for medicinal or homeopathic purposes.<ref name=":2">Davidson, Tish. "Aucklandia." ''The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine'', edited by Laurie J. Fundukian, 4th ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2014, pp. 197-198. ''Gale Virtual Reference Library'', Accessed 20 Nov. 2017.</ref>  The root is also called by its [[Social:Latin|Latin]] name ''radix aucklandiae'' (root of aucklandia).<ref>https://www.dermsinica.org/article.asp?issn=1027-8117;year=2019;volume=37;issue=2;spage=98;epage=102;aulast=Ho</ref>

It has a large number of names in other languages, including ''kuṣṭha'' in Sanskrit; ''kust'' or ''qust'' in [[Social:Arabic language|Arabic]] and [[Social:Persian language|Persian]]; ''kut'', ''kur'', and ''pachak'' in Hindi and [[Social:Bengali language|Bengali]], ''kostum'', ''gostham'',  and ''potchuk'' in [[Social:Tamil language|Tamil]]; ''upaleta'' and ''kur'' in [[Social:Gujarati language|Gujarati]]; ''kot'' or ''kust'' in [[Social:Punjabi language|Punjabi]]; ''changala'' in [[Social:Telugu language|Telugu]]; ''sepuddy'' in Malayalam; ''kostha'' in Kannada; ''kuth'' or ''postkhai'' in [[Social:Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]; and ''kosht'' (קשט) in [[Social:Hebrew language|Hebrew]]; ''koto'' in [[Social:Swahili language|Swahili]].<ref name=bac/><ref name="madhuri">{{cite journal|author1=K. Madhuri |author2=K. Elango |author3=S. Ponnusankar  |name-list-style=amp |year=2011|title=''Sausaria lappa'' (Kuth root): review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology|journal=Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine|volume=12|issue=1|pages=1&ndash;9|doi=10.1007/s13596-011-0043-1|s2cid=15514235 }}</ref><ref name=amer/><ref name="kushta">{{Cite web |url=http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/300-kushta |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616193431/http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/300-kushta |archive-date=2011-06-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Cultivation==
The plant is cultivated as a medicinal plant. Its growing region occurs mainly within India-Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir- its native place of origin.<ref name=":0"/> A study by Parmaret. al. 2012 explored the effect of altitude on seed germination and survival percentage, proving that high altitudes favoured high survival and seed germination percentages.<ref name=":3">N. Kumar, A. KumarDurlabh hoti chamatkaric aushadhi-Kuth Sachitra Ayurveda, 1 (1989), pp. 25-29</ref> This is why they thrive so abundantly in the Himalayan Region which is very mountainous. Cultivation is primarily focused upon the roots of the plants. Most of the roots are exported to China and Japan and as they serve as a big commodity for commerce in Kashmir. However, this type of trade is now being controlled by the state due to it being over-exploited. This plant has been greatly over-collected and has been placed on Appendix I of CITES.<ref name=":4">Lipsch. ''Saussurea Costus'' . Plants for a Future , 2012, www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Saussurea+costus.</ref>

==Habitat==
It is usually found at elevations of {{convert|2500|to|3,000|m|ft|abbr=on|-2}} asl in {{wipe|India}}; including the Himalayas, [[Place:Kashmir|Kashmir]], Jammu, Western Ghats, and the Kishenganga Valley.<ref name="madhuri" /><ref name="amer">{{Americana|wstitle=Putchock|year=1920|inline=1}}</ref>  Its typical flowering season spans from July to August, with the seeds ripening from August to September. The plant can be grown in a wide variety of soils, ranging from light sandy, medium to heavy clay soils that are acid, neutral or basic, alkaline soils, preferring soils that are moist. The amount of sunlight the plant thrives upon can vary from semi-shaded (light woodland) areas or areas with no shade.<ref name=":4" />

==Appearance==
''Saussurea costus'' is a classified as a perennial, with a typical growth of {{convert|1-2|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall by {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=":4" /> It has long lyrate leaves and heads of purple florets.<ref name=amer/> The leaves take the shape of being auricled at base, with jagged, toothed patterns running down the sides of the leaves and are an average of {{convert|0.50–1.25|m|ft|abbr=on}} long. The roots of the plant are stout and can travel up to {{convert|40|cm|abbr=on}} in length.<ref>P.K. Hajra, R.R. Rao, D.K. Singh, B.P.Uniyal Flora of India, vol. 12, BSI, Calcutta (1995) p. 187</ref><ref>Bruchhausen, F.Y., Dannhardt, G., Ebel, S., Frahm, A.W., Hackenthal, E., Holzgrabe, U., 1994. Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis. Band 9, Stoffe P-Z Bandwerk Hager: Hdb pharmaz.Praxis (5.Aufl.) 5., vollständig neubearb. Aufl.,, XXX, 1255 S., Geb.</ref><ref>O.P. Upadhyay, J.K. Ojha, S.K. Datta Pharmacognostic study of the root of ''Saussurea lappa'' C.B. Clarke Sachitra Ayurveda, 8 (1993), pp. 608-612</ref>

==Spice==

As a spice, Pliny described it as having a "burning taste and an exquisite scent", but being "otherwise useless".<ref>quoted in Andrew Dalby, ''Dangerous Tastes'', p. 85</ref>

==Uses==

===Ancient Judaism ===
The root of ''Saussurea costus'' is mentioned in rabbinical writings as ''kosht'' ({{lang-he|קשט}}), reflecting its [[Engineering:Arrowhead|arrowhead]] shape. It was used in the Ketoret, the consecrated incense described in the [[Religion:Hebrew Bible|Hebrew Bible]] and Talmud. It was offered on a specialized incense altar in the Tabernacle, and in the First and [[History:Second Temple period|Second]] Jerusalem Temples. The Ketoret was an important component of the Temple service in [[Place:Jerusalem|Jerusalem]].

===Ancient Rome===

Known in Greek as ''kostos'' or ''kostarin'' and in Latin as ''costum'', it was used as a spice in classical Rome and Byzantinium, when it was used to flavor wine.<ref>Andrew Dalby, ''Tastes of Byzantium: The Cuisine of a Legendary Empire'', 2003, {{isbn|9781848851658}}, p. 206</ref>

===Britain===

Costus was used as a spice in medieval England, for example as an ingredient in a greensauce described by [[Biography:Alexander Neckam|Alexander Neckam]] in the 12th century.<ref>Alan Davidson, Tom Saine, Helen Saberi, ''Oxford Companion to Food'', 2nd edition, 2006, p. 219</ref>

===Islam ===

It was recommended by [[Biography:Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad]] in "Sahih hadith".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hadith - Book of Medicine - Sahih al-Bukhari - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)|url=https://sunnah.com/bukhari/76/15|access-date=2020-10-03|website=sunnah.com}}</ref>

===China===
In [[Medicine:Traditional Chinese medicine|traditional Chinese medicine]], the root is one of the [[Unsolved:Chinese herbology#50 fundamental herbs|50 fundamental herbs]]. It has the name ({{zh|s=云木香|p=yún mù xiāng}}, meaning “wood aroma”).<ref name=kushta/>  It is found in the popular digestive remedy Po Chai pills and is also used as incense.<ref name=colliers>{{Cite Collier's|wstitle=Putchock|year=1921}}</ref>

===India===
In [[Philosophy:Ayurveda|Ayurveda]], 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).<ref name=kushta/> In ancient India, Kushta was considered to be a divine plant derived from heavenly sources, growing high in the Himalayas, considered to be the brother of the divine [[Chemistry:Soma (drink)|Soma]].<ref name=kushta/> In Ayurveda, Kushta is a [[Chemistry:Rasayana|rasayana]] for Vata, helping to normalize and strengthen digestion, cleanse the body of toxic accumulations, enhance fertility, and reduce pain.<ref name=kushta/>{{medrs|date=July 2012}}  Its dried powder is the principal ingredient in an ointment for ulcers; it is also a hair wash.<ref name=amer/><ref name=colliers/>

Costus rhizome is used for curing woolen cloth in hill area of Uttarakhand.

==Other common uses==
An [[Chemistry:Essential oil|essential oil]] obtained from the roots is used in perfumery, incenses, and in hair rinses. It has a strong lingering scent that has the scent of violets at first, yet changes to a more unpleasant goat-like smell as it ages. The common form of the roots can be either found as an essential oil, a ground powder, or as a dried stick. Another use for the plant is within incense sticks. These sticks can be created from these roots by grinding the roots into a powder and then forming the stick structure. As well, the dried sticks are commonly found cut up into thin slices to be used as lightings for shrines or as tonics for hot baths.<ref name=":4" />

==Trade==
The species was determined "readily available" in the markets of Calcutta, Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, and Haridwar by a survey conducted by TRAFFIC India in 1997 and is considered one of the most common medicinal plants traded in Delhi. ''S. costus'' is so readily available and abundant that very large quantities can be procured on demand within markets and stores with their main customers being large and small pharmaceutical companies. According to CITES trade data, China and India are the main exporters of the product itself with Hong Kong following close behind as a noted re-exporter. China was the first documented trader of ''S. costus'', with trade records dating back to 1981 and 1982. ''S. costus'' is the only Appendix I species which is significantly traded internationally for medicinal purposes. The species was included in Appendix II as early as 1975 and increased list placement in Appendix I with effect.<ref name=":5">Schippmann, Uwe. ''Medicinal Plants Significant Trade Study'' . German CITES Scientific Authority: German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, 2001, ''Medicinal Plants Significant Trade Study''.</ref>

==Plant endangerment==
''S. costus'' is one of the most threatened medicinal plants of Kashmir Himalaya. This species is threatened due to the unregulated collection, over-exploitation, illegal trade, and loss of habitat. Habitat loss continues due to road construction and military establishments in many of the cultivation areas, decreasing its yield globally. Habitat destruction in the form of recreational activities and urbanization is as well limiting its ability to be cultivated, again decreasing global yield of this product. Another influence heavily affecting the survival rate of this species is the uncontrolled grazing of yak.<ref name=":0" /> The biggest threat, however, comes from the usage of the plant for its medicinal properties. It is listed as “endangered” by the Red data book of Indian plants.<ref>Nayar and Sastry 1988</ref>{{full citation needed|date=March 2018}} In another study, a camp workshop held in Lucknow assessed the plant as "Critically Endangered new" nationally in India, holding a population decline of 70% in the last 10 years.<ref>Molur and Walker 1998</ref>{{full citation needed|date=March 2018}} Another CAMP workshop for northern India assessed it as "Critically Endangered new" in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name=":5" />  Conservation efforts do exist to control the rate of depletion of the species. The legislations of Jammu and Kashmir have enforced a special Act, The Kuth Act, in 1978 for the regulation of trade of ''S. costus''.<ref name=":3" />

==See also==
* [[Biology:List of lyrate plants|List of lyrate plants]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[https://images.google.com/images?as_q=%22Saussurea+costus%22&num=20&btnG=Google+Search&imgsafe=active ''Saussurea costus'' pictures] at Google Images
*Genus ''Saussurea'' phytochemical and pharmacological:  Yang J.L. Wang R. Liu L.L. Shi Y.P. "Phytochemicals and biological activities of Saussurea species. [Review]" [153 refs] ''Journal of Asian Natural Products Research''. 12(2):162-75, 2010 Feb.
*{{PFAF}}
*{{cite book |last=Caldecott |first=Todd |year=2006 |title=Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life |publisher=Elsevier/Mosby |isbn=978-0-7234-3410-8 }} Contains a detailed monograph on ''Saussurea lappa'' (Kushta) as well as a discussion of health benefits and usage in clinical practice. Available online at https://web.archive.org/web/20110616193431/http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/300-kushta

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1661525}}

[[Category:Saussurea]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

{{Sourceattribution|Saussurea costus|1}}