The plant with the botanical name Saussure lappa has very useful roots. Saussure lappa is also known as Costus Root, Kut Root, Kushtha, and Mu Xiang. It is known to be a native to the Himalayan Highlands along the Kashmir High Valleys. In the early days, the finger-like Costus root was dug and cut into small portions and were shipped to the Roman nation and the Chinese Empire. The Roman people use the Costus root for its oil to flavor their foods as well as an ingredient in their perfumes. The Kashmir’s are also known users of Costus root oil. They use Costus root essential oil to prevent moths from causing damage to their fabrics and shawls.

Costus root oil is carefully extracted from the dried roots of the Costus root plant. The extracted Costus root essential oil has a very persistent odor with hints of woodiness. The color of this essential oil comes in hues of yellow and light brown with a viscous consistency.

Costus Root is a large, erect, perennial plant up to 2m high with a thick tapering root and numerous almost black flowers. The dried roots are macerated in warm water then subjected to steam distillation.

The root has been used for millennia in India and China for digestive complaints, respiratory conditions, and as a stimulant. It has also been used to combat infections including typhoid and cholera.

Costus root is a large erect, perennial plant up to 1Mtr high with thick tapering roots and numerous almost black flowers. The dried roots are macerated in warm water and then subjected to steam distillation to extract the oil.

Costus is an herb. The root and oil from the root are used to make medicine. Costus root is used for treating worm (nematode) infections. Costus oil is used for asthma, cough, gas, and severe intestinal diseases such as dysentery and cholera. It is also used as a tonic and to stimulate digestion.
In foods and beverages, Costus oil is used as a flavoring component. In manufacturing, Costus oil is used as a fixative and fragrance in cosmetics.

Costus Root oil has a peculiar soft, but extremely tenacious odor, reminiscent of old precious wood. The odor has been compared to that of human hair, fur coats or 'wet dogs'. The latter description is often heard from people who smell Costus for the first time. It is certain that not all people will like this odor.  Costus Root is a large, erect, perennial plant up to 2m high with a thick tapering root and numerous black flowers.

Benefit & Uses: The essential oil from Costus root can also be used as a skin ointment. It can help in slowing down the aging process of the skin as well as efficiently treat skin issues. It has bactericidal and antiseptic properties that help in treating skin issues brought about by infection.

Costus root essential oil can also work as an effective expectorant, stimulant, and tonic solution. It can aid in regulating the immune system as well as treat asthma and coughing. It can stimulate the digestive system by digesting the food properly and increasing the energy in the body.

Costus root oil is also a great weight loss and fat burning aid. It can be used alongside with your diet meals, exercises, or routines. It can also help in improving the digestive system’s function for better digestion.

The chemical constituents of Costus Root Essential Oil provide it properties of being an antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, digestive, expectorant, febrifuge, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic. The oil is also used in incense, and as a fixative and fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes.

 

It is also used as incense, and as a fixative and fragrance component in cosmetics and perfumes. The food industry also used Costus Root essential oil as a flavor ingredient especially in confectionery, alcoholic and soft drinks.