Botanical Name

Costus speciosus

Family

Costaceae

Sanskrit name

Kebuka

English name

Crepe ginger

Hindi

Kushtha /Keukand

Kannada

Changal koshta, aarathi kundige

Habit

Herb

Habitat

Mostly occurring in moist, partially shaded localities.

Plant Description

It is tall plant with large dark green leaves arranged on the stalk in a spiral. Flowers arise from cone shaped bracts. Pure white crinkled flowers that look like crepe paper. The stamens are bell shaped.

Distribution

South East Asia

Part used

Rhizome

.

Medicinal use

Used in diabetes, skin diseases, cough , asthma, intestinal worms, elephentiasis, fever.