Costus speciosus

Botanical name : Costus speciosus (Koenig ex Retz.) j.E.Smith.
Family : Zingiberaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Chanda, Kevuka, Pechuli, Dalasalini

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Madhura
Guna : Rooksha, Lakhu
Virya : Seeta
Vipaka : Katu

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English :
Hindi : Kebu, Kevu
Malayalam : Channakkizhangu, Channakoova

Distribution – Growing wild in moist forests and roadsides in India.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A perennial grows up to 1 meter in height. Leaves simple, spirally arranged, oblong-lanceolate; flowers white large found in terminal spikes; fruits globose capsule containing obovoid seeds.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, burning sensation, constipation, intestinal worms, skin diseases, fever, and bronchitis. Plant possesses anti-cancerous activity.
Useful part : Rhizome.