Scientific Name: Cheilocostus speciosus (J. König) C.D. Specht

Arabic name(s): القُسْط

English name(s): Costus / Crepe ginger

Growth form: Kust root is a tropical perennial herb.

Order: Zingiberales

Family: Costaceae

Genus: Cheilocostus C.D.Specht

Species: Cheilocostus C.D.Specht

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.

Citation in the Hadit:

Narrated by Anas; that he was asked about the wages of the one who cups others. He said, ‘Allah’s Apostle was cupped by Abd Taiba, to whom he gave two Sa of food and interceded for him with his masters who consequently reduced what they used to charge him daily. Then the Prophet s said, “The best medicines you may treat yourselves with are cupping and marine Costus.’ He added, “You should not torture your children by treating tonsillitis by pressing the tonsils or the palate with the finger, but use costus.” Sahih Al Bukhari, book of medicine.

Habitat & Distribution:

The species is indigenous to Southeast Asia. It has been introduced and naturalized elsewhere in tropical regions and cultivated in subtropical regions. Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. is another medicinal Costus herb from the Asteraceae family. It grows on the moist slopes in the Northwestern Himalayan region.