Costus / ru rta (mu xiang)
Saussurea costus
Photo credit: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Low-moderate at traditional doses. Sesquiterpene lactones can cause contact/allergic dermatitis (Asteraceae cross-sensitivity); high-dose data limited. Some regulatory bodies restrict costus root in food/cosmetics for sensitisation.
Contraindications: Asteraceae allergy; pregnancy data insufficient (avoid medicinal doses); caution with biliary obstruction.
Interactions: Not well documented; theoretical additive effects with anti-inflammatory drugs.
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: aromatic carminative, wind/rLung-regulating digestive; bloating, abdominal/epigastric pain, poor appetite, chest/throat complaints; anti-inflammatory
Proposed mechanism: sesquiterpene lactones — costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone (NF-kB modulation), guaianolides/eudesmanolides, volatile oil
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not nutritional; bioactives are sesquiterpene lactones + essential oil.
Healing traditions
Sources (3)
- Welzel et al. 2026, Front Pharmacol (PMID 42158943)
- Chen et al. 2025, Front Pharmacol (PMID 41158126)
- Elnour & Abdurahman 2024, Heliyon (PMID 39323795)