{"id":170571,"date":"2023-02-19T16:56:04","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T16:56:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=170571"},"modified":"2026-03-02T11:37:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T11:37:25","slug":"ayurveda-uses-benefits-and-side-effects-of-kuth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/ayurveda-uses-benefits-and-side-effects-of-kuth\/","title":{"rendered":"Kuth (Saussurea lappa): Uses, Benefits and Side Effects by Dr. Smita Barode\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<\/head>

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Table of Contents<\/p>\nToggle<\/span>

Introduction<\/a><\/li>
Nutritional Value of Kuth<\/a><\/li>
Properties of Kuth<\/a><\/li>
Potential Uses of Kuth for Overall Health<\/a><\/li>
How to Use Kuth?<\/a><\/li>
Side Effects of Kuth<\/a><\/li>
Precautions to Take with Kuth<\/a><\/li>
Interactions with Other Drugs<\/a><\/li>
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li>
References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n \n <\/span>\n $\"Join$ \n <\/a>\n
<\/span>Introduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Plants have been used in various indigenous systems of medicine for ages. Literature survey has revealed potent biological activities of several plants, which are proven through many animal and human studies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kuth is one such indigenous plant found on the Indo Pakistan border and Jammu and Kashmir, the Himalayan range of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and the Western Ghats. It grows wildly in China and Pakistan as well. The botanical name of the kuth plant is\u202f Saussurea lappa,\u202f<\/em>also known as\u202fS.costus,\u202f<\/em>belonging to the family Asteraceae and is often referred to as costus. It is a perennial herb with purple flowers having a fluffy and feathery appearance. The fruit of kuth is curved, hairy and greyish1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different parts of costus or kuth have been widely used in Ayurveda and Unani forms of medicine since ancient times. The roots are used in relieving fever, cough and stomach ache, while a paste with mustard oil<\/a> provides relief from pain in the joints, especially during winter. The several traditional uses of kuth promise its great demand in the pharmaceutical industry. Unfortunately, kuth is on the verge of extinction and has been listed in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants 3<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Nutritional Value of Kuth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The bioactive compounds present in kuth are:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Sesqueterpenoids (dehydrocostus lactones):<\/strong> 79.8%<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Resins:<\/strong> 6%<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Essential oils:<\/strong> 1.1-2%<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Alkaloids:<\/strong> 0.05%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nOther bioactive compounds include flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, lignans and triterpenes 2<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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According to several studies, women who inhale Kuth oil while in labour may experience fewer sensations of discomfort. In my experience, the medication is believed to ease anxiety, trepidation, and associated symptoms. Its use leads to the need for minimal anaesthesia with reduced negative effects on the mother and the foetus.<\/p>\nDr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.<\/a><\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Properties of Kuth<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
It may have the property to relieve the spasmodic pain in the stomach.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The root of kuth powder may help in decreasing the swelling or tightening of blood vessels during headaches.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
The paste of root powder and jaggery may help in reducing urine overload in the bladder.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Kuth root powder may reduce inflammation.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Kuth root powder may restore energy and decrease the general weakness of the body.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It might help in decreasing elevated blood glucose levels.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It can relieve labour pain by inducing sedation and relaxing smooth muscles.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It might help in decreasing the irritation caused by cough and cold.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
It might help in decreasing the temperature of the body 1<\/a>,2<\/a>,5<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>
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