Costus

Dolomiaea costus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (463 studies) · ★★★★★

Costus, scientifically known as Dolomiaea costus, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional healing systems. Often recognized for its aromatic properties, it contains bioactive compounds used to treat various ailments, including digestive issues and inflammation. This botanical treasure remains a significant subject of study in natural pharmacology.

Family
Asteraceae
Native range
Asia-Temperate
Parts used
Root · Roots
Common names
Costus
Scientific synonyms
Saussurea Costus · Theodorea Costus · 4 more

Names

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Dolomiaea costus

Synonyms

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Asterales and the family Asteraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Dolomiaea, specifically as the species Dolomiaea costus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Dolomiaea WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across various regions of China. It can be found growing in the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its presence extends to the tropical landscapes of Hainan. The species is also documented within the northern territories of Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. Finally, it inhabits the North-Central parts of China, completing its diverse range.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China Qinghai WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
China Xinjiang WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Dolomiaea costus, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its various components. The most significant part used is the root, specifically the dried and processed roots which are often ground into a fine powder for therapeutic applications. While the leaves may be present during its growth cycle, the primary medicinal potency is concentrated in the subterranean parts. Furthermore, the plant is a source of aromatic essential oil, which is extracted to harness its potent fragrance and chemical properties.
Plant Part Sources Confidence
root Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 10 sources) ★★★★★
roots Food chemistry (and other 9 sources) ★★★★☆
Roots Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
essential oil Chemistry & biodiversity (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
leaves Chinese journal of natural medicines (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
powder Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Costus roots Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Leaves Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Root Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Root paste Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Dolomiaea costus has 104 reported phytochemicals identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Costunolide, Dehydrocostus lactone, Flavonoids, Alantolactone, CHLOROGENIC ACID.

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Costunolide Dr. Duke (and other 16 sources) ★★★★★
Dehydrocostus lactone Dr. Duke (and other 14 sources) ★★★★★
Flavonoids Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 7 sources) ★★★★☆
Alantolactone Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
CHLOROGENIC ACID Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Cynaropicrin Computers in biology and medicine (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Sesquiterpenes Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
dehydrocostuslactone Journal of natural products (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
ALPHA-IONONE Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ALPHA-PHELLANDRENE Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Dolomiaea costus has 199 reported activities identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticancer Dr. Duke (and other 6 sources) ★★★☆☆
Antioxidant Dr. Duke (and other 6 sources) ★★★☆☆
Antimicrobial Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 5 sources) ★★★☆☆
Cytotoxic Dr. Duke (and other 4 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective Dr. Duke (and other 4 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Antidiabetic Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Antiviral Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) ★★☆☆☆
Anthelmintic Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antiinflammatory Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antiulcer Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Dolomiaea costus has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, expectorant.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
antidiabetic Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
antiseptic Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
aphrodisiac Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
expectorant Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Confidence
KM1608 Biomolecules (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
extracts Fitoterapia (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
root extract Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
70% ethanol extract BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Ethanolic Extract Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Ethanolic extract Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Organic extracts Environmental and molecular mutagenesis (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
S. costus extracts RSC advances (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
acetic acid extract Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
aqueous leaf extract Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆