NepalAyurveds.com: Costus

Kustha,केउ, कुस्थ, पोकरामूल, Costus, Dolomiaea costus

यो १ मिटर अग्लो, पत्ता १५-२० से.मि. लामो, फूल सेतो सहपत्र रातो, फल रातो २ से.मि. व्यासको सम्पुटमा भित्र कालो बीजहरू हुन्छन् । यो उष्ण हावापानीमा पाइन्छ र आजकल खेती पनि गरिन्छ । स्वाद : टर्रो केही मिठो, स्वभाव : गरम । औषधीय प्रयोग : यसको जरा रक्तशोधक, कृमिनाशक, पौष्टिक, आमवातहर, मूत्रल, गर्भनिरोधक मानिन्छ । यसले सर्दी, ज्वर, खोकी, छालारोग, सर्पदंश, पेटको गड्बढी- गानोगोला इत्यादि सन्चो गराउँछ । यसमा गर्भनिरोधी तत्त्व (डायोस्जेनिन) जसबाट स्टिराइडल पदार्थ बन्दछ । मात्रा : १-३ ग्राम लेदो / चूर्ण ।

परिचय

कुस्थ (Kustha) एक औषधीय गुण भएको वनस्पति हो जसलाई संस्कृतमा कुस्थ, नेपालीमा केउ वा पोकरामूल भनिन्छ। यसको वैज्ञानिक नाम Dolomiaea costus (पहिले Saussurea costus) हो। यो हिमाली क्षेत्रमा पाइने एक मूल्यवान जडीबुटी हो जसको प्रयोग आयुर्वेद, चिनियाँ चिकित्सा, र तिब्बती औषधीमा धेरै पुरानो समयदेखि गरिँदै आएको छ। यसको जरालाई औषधीको रूपमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ जसमा धेरै प्रकारका रासायनिक यौगिकहरू पाइन्छन् जसले शरीरका विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न मद्दत गर्छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशहरूमा उपलब्धता

कुस्थ नेपालको हिमाली क्षेत्र (३०००–४००० मिटर उचाई) जस्तै मनाङ, मुस्ताङ, डोल्पा, र हुम्लामा प्राकृतिक रूपमा पाइन्छ। यसको खेती पनि गरिन्छ तर जंगली कुस्थ नै धेरै गुणकारी मानिन्छ। नेपालबाहेक यो भारत (उत्तराखण्ड, हिमाचल, जम्मू-कश्मीर), चीन (तिब्बत), पाकिस्तान, र भूटानमा पनि पाइन्छ। विशेष गरी कश्मीरी कुस्थ (Saussurea costus) विश्वभर प्रसिद्ध छ र यसको निर्यात पनि हुन्छ।

शारीरिक गुणहरू (Physical Properties)

कुस्थको बोट १ मिटर सम्म अग्लो हुन्छ।
पातहरू १५–२० सेन्टिमिटर लामा, डाँठमा वरिपरि सर्पिल रूपमा जम्मा हुन्छन्।
फूल सेतो र सहपत्र (bracts) रातो रंगको हुन्छ।
फल रातो रंगको हुन्छ र यसको व्यास लगभग २ सेन्टिमिटर हुन्छ।
फलभित्र कालो रंगको सानो बीज हुन्छ।
जरा मोटो, गाढा खैरो वा कालो रंगको हुन्छ र यसको स्वाद टर्रो तर केही मिठो हुन्छ।
यो उष्ण प्रकृतिको (गरम स्वभावको) बुटी हो।

औषधीय गुणहरू (Medicinal Properties)

कुस्थमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

रक्तशोधक: यसले रक्तलाई शुद्ध गर्छ र फोक्सो, छालाको रोग, र एक्जिमा जस्ता समस्याहरूमा फाइदा गर्छ।
कृमिनाशक: पेटमा हुने कीराहरू (कृमि) मार्न मद्दत गर्छ।
पौष्टिक: शरीरलाई शक्ति प्रदान गर्छ र कमजोरी हटाउँछ।
आमवातनाशक (Anti-inflammatory): जोड्ने दुखाइ, गाउट, र सुन्निने समस्यामा लाभदायक छ।
मूत्रल (Diuretic): मूत्र बढाउँछ र मूत्र सम्बन्धी रोगहरूमा प्रयोग हुन्छ।
गर्भनिरोधक: यसमा डायोस्जेनिन नामक तत्त्व हुन्छ जसले गर्भधारण रोक्न मद्दत गर्छ। यसबाट स्टेराइडल औषधी बनाइन्छ।
ज्वरनाशक (Antipyretic): सर्दी, ज्वर, र खोकीमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ।
विषनाशक (Antidote): सर्पदंश र विषाक्त पदार्थको असर कम गर्छ।

फाइदा (Advantages)

यसले पाचन प्रणाली सुधार्छ।
मधुमेह (Diabetes) नियन्त्रण गर्न मद्दत गर्छ।
छालाका रोग, खटिरा, र दादलाई निको पार्छ।
श्वासप्रश्वास सम्बन्धी समस्याहरू (Asthma, Bronchitis) मा फाइदा गर्छ।
यसले प्रतिरक्षा प्रणालीलाई मजबूत बनाउँछ।

प्रयोग विधि (Uses and Using Method)

जराको चूर्ण: १–३ ग्राम चूर्ण गरि पानी वा मौसमी रससँग मिसाएर खाने।
काढा: जरा उमालेर काढा बनाएर पिउने।
लेप: चूर्णलाई पानी वा तेलसँग मिसाएर छालामा लगाउने।
गर्भनिरोधक: यसको नियमित प्रयोगले गर्भनिरोधकको रूपमा काम गर्छ।

संकलन र संरक्षण (Harvesting and Preservation)

कुस्थको जरा पाकेपछि (वर्षको अन्त्यमा) खन्ने।
जरालाई धूपमा सुकाएर भिजाउनेबाट जोगाउने।
सुकेको जरालाई एयरटाइट कन्टेनरमा राख्ने र ठूलो सङ्क्रमणबाट बचाउने।

निष्कर्ष (Conclusion)

कुस्थ (Kustha) एक अत्यन्तै गुणकारी जडीबुटी हो जसले धेरै रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न सक्छ। यसको रक्तशोधक, कृमिनाशक, र गर्भनिरोधक गुणले यसलाई आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा महत्त्वपूर्ण बनाउँछ। नेपालको हिमाली क्षेत्रमा यो प्राकृतिक रूपमा पाइन्छ तर यसको सही उपयोग र संरक्षण गर्नुपर्छ। यसको व्यावसायिक खेतीले नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रमा पनि योगदान दिन सक्छ। त्यसैले, कुस्थको सतत उपयोग, संरक्षण, र अनुसन्धानलाई बढावा दिनुपर्छ।

Introduction

Kustha, also known locally by various names such as केउ, कुस्थ, and पोकरामूल in Nepal, and medicinally categorized as Dolomiaea costus or Saussurea costus, is an extremely precious medicinal plant indigenous to the Himalayas. English-speaking individuals popularly call it Costus, which has long been known for its powerful therapeutic properties and ancient traditional use in Ayurvedic and conventional medicine.

This herb has been in use for centuries because it has a number of medicinal applications. Its roots are most traditionally employed and are famous for their blood cleaning, parasitic cleansing actions, their use as a carminative, their role as a contraceptive, and in respiratory diseases. Costus has a warm constitution and sweet-bitter taste, and is best indicated in balancing Vata and Kapha doshas.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

Kustha is native to the Himalayan region and naturally grows in Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, and China. In Nepal, it naturally grows typically in sub-alpine and hilly regions where the temperature is moderately warm to temperate. It naturally grows but has now begun to be cultivated on farm fields as its demand in herbal medicine and pharmaceuticals has been increasing.

Other than in Nepal, Kustha is found primarily in the Indian states of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, where it is cultivated both for domestic use and export. It is exported and used for traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, and in Unani. It is listed as endangered in the wild due to excessive collection and loss of habitat, though conserved by cultivation in some areas.

Physical Properties

Kustha is a perennial plant that grows typically to 1 meter in height. It has large lance-shaped leaves, about 15–20 centimeters long. The plant has white bracteate flowers, whereas the fruit is almost 2 centimeters long with black seeds inside a rounded capsule.

The root of the plant is thick, aromatic, and slightly bitter with a pungent aftertaste. The root is most commonly used part of the plant, for medicinal purposes. On drying and powdering, the roots form coarse brown powder or paste known as "kustha churna" in Ayurvedic medicine.

Principal Physical Characters:

Height: Up to 1 meter

Leaves: 15–20 cm long

Flowers: White with red bracts

Fruits: Reddish capsules with black seeds

Taste: Faintly sweet, pungent, and astringent

Nature (Swabhav): Warm (Ushna)

Medicinal Properties

Kustha is a multi-action herb with varied medicinal properties. The root is the most virile part and is used in powder or paste form.

Primary Medicinal Properties:

Blood Purifier (Raktashodhak): Purifies the blood and fortifies circulation, especially in the context of skin disease and chronic infection.

Anthelmintic (Krimighna): Effective against intestinal worms and parasitic infections.

Digestive and Appetizer (Pachak): Aids digestion, removes bloating, and improves appetite.

Anti-inflammatory (Shothahara): Relieves pain, swelling, and inflammation of the joints, particularly in gout and arthritis.

Diuretic (Mutral): Promotes flow of urine and useful in urinary disorders.

Respiratory Relief (Kasa-Shwasahara): Useful in the treatment of cold, cough, asthma, and bronchitis.

Fever Reducer (Jwaraghna): Reduces fever and helps remove toxins from the body.

Skin Disorders: Applied locally or taken internally for the treatment of eczema, acne, and psoriasis.

Contraceptive: Contains Diosgenin, the chemical used in the production of steroidal contraceptives.

Benefits

Kustha is packed with benefits for health, especially when taken in moderate and recommended amounts. Some of the key benefits are:

Boosts Immunity: Regular use strengthens body defenses.

Aids Female Health: Acts as a natural contraceptive and helps keep menstrual cycles regular.

Soothes Respiratory Illnesses: Successfully treats cough.

Treatment of Joint and Muscle Illnesses: Reduces inflammation and pain.

Encourages Clear Skin: Purifies the blood and removes skin spots.

Raises Metabolism: Helps digest food and absorb nutrients.

Acts as an Antioxidant: Protects the body from free radicals and cell damage.

Maintains Hormone Balance: Especially useful in reproductive health among women.

Natural Detoxifier: Cleanses toxins from the liver and intestines.

Helpful in Snake Bites and Poisoning: Used as an antidote in some cultures in the past.

Uses

Kustha is used in varying forms based on the disease to be cured. It can be used internally in the form of powder or externally as decoction or paste. Some of its significant uses are given below:

In Ayurveda and Herbal Medicine:

As churna (powder) consumed with honey or warm water.

As paste (lepa) on infected skin areas.

In the form of decoction (kwath) for internal cleansing.

In tablet or capsule form in the form of proprietary herbal medicines.

Cosmetics and Skin Care:

Used in face packs and pimples, pigmentation, and scar creams.

Religious and Spiritual Use:

Sometimes burned as incense or used in rituals for purification.

Using Method

The usage method of Kustha is different based on the purpose:

Internal Use:

Powder (Churna): 1–3 grams daily with warm water or honey.

Decoction (Kwath): Boil 5–10 grams root powder in water until reduced to half and consumed after cooling.

Capsules: Commercial capsules of 250–500 mg twice daily.

External Use:

Paste Application: Root is made into paste form and applied locally to skin diseases like boils, rashes, or eczema.

Oil Form: Costus oil is rubbed on the aching joints and over the skin affected areas.

Note: Always have an Ayurvedic practitioner or medical professional decide on correct dosage, especially when taking it for hormone or contraceptive purposes.

Harvesting and Preservation

Kustha roots are harvested after the plant has reached maturity, typically after 2 to 3 years of growth. Autumn is the ideal time for harvest when the active principles are most concentrated in the root. The entire plant is uprooted, and the roots are separated, washed, and dried.

They are thereafter dried in shade or weak sunlight and stored in airtight containers at a distance from water and direct sunlight. This helps to keep them effective for months or years. Powdered extracts should be stored in glass jars or dark-colored containers so that active ingredients are not broken down.

Conclusion

Kustha, or Dolomiaea costus, is likely the strongest and most sought-after of the herbs of traditional medicine. From purifying the blood to enhancing respiratory conditions and balancing hormonal stability, its uses are quite astounding. It naturally occurs in the Himalayas and is cultivated increasingly for eco-friendly reasons, thus becoming a central component in home remedies as well as commercially produced herbal remedies.

With its wide variety of medicinal applications, warm energy, and adaptogenic property, Kustha is a miraculous root herb that has lasted the ages. However, as with all powerful natural remedies, it needs to be applied with caution and under professional guidance, especially for contraceptive purposes or among pregnant women. As conservation and sustainable agriculture continue, Kustha promises to be a part of Ayurvedic medicine for all eternity, offering natural medications for the most common and widespread human illnesses.

Reference

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