Costus-substitute / pushkarmool (ma nu / Indian elecampane)
Inula racemosa
Photo credit: Hume Douglas
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Low-moderate. Sesquiterpene lactones cause contact/allergic dermatitis (Asteraceae); GI irritation possible at high dose.
Contraindications: Asteraceae allergy; pregnancy data insufficient (avoid medicinal doses).
Interactions: Not well documented; theoretical additive anti-inflammatory effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy data insufficient — avoid medicinal doses.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
powder · root
Part used: root
pill · root
Part used: root
decoction · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: wind/rLung and lung complaints — cough, chest oppression, dyspnoea; digestive/carminative and chest-pain (heart-wind) remedy
Proposed mechanism: sesquiterpene lactones — alantolactone and isoalantolactone (NF-kB-modulating anti-inflammatory), inulin, essential oil — bronchorelaxant, antimicrobial
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not used as food; root contains inulin (prebiotic fibre) but is a medicinal.
Healing traditions
Sources (1)
- Yang et al. 2024, Front Pharmacol (Isoalantolactone review) (PMID 39376605)