Botanical name : Saussurea lappa C.B.Clarke.
Family : Asteraceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kushta, Pushkara, Kashmeeraja, Vapya, Roga, Rucha, Visha
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Tikta, Katu, Madhura
Guna   : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna
Virya   : Ushna
Vipaka: Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English     : Costus
Hindi        : Kuth, Kur
Malayalam    : Kottom
Distribution – In higher altitueds of Himalaya, in Kashmir.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
An erect perennial herb grows up to 1-2 meters in height. Leaves membranous, Basel leaves large, upper ones are small. Leaves irregularly tooted. Flowers bluish purple in axillary or terminal heads. Fruits compressed achenes. The roots are long, stout and with a peculiar odor.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pain, arthritis, head ache, ulcers, skin diseases, cough, asthma, flatulence, colic, pruritus, diarrhea, fever and general debility.
Useful part    :    Root.  

Photo: Dr. Eby Abraham MD