Botanical atlas

Costus Root

Aucklandia lappa

Long before it traveled the trade routes west, this root grew wild on the high, windswept meadows of Kashmir, where it was dug, sliced, and dried into one of the most treasured roots in the Himalayan pharmacy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it became known as mu xiang, the fragrant wood, a warming root used to move qi that had grown sluggish in the belly and to ease the bloating, cramping, and heaviness that followed. Ayurvedic healers called it kushtha and turned to it for labored breathing and stubborn coughs. Its resinous, honeyed scent also made it a favorite of perfumers and incense makers, who prized it as much for the nose as for the body.

Safety.

The essential oil is a known skin sensitizer, especially for those allergic to ragweed, daisies, or other Asteraceae plants, and shouldn't be taken internally; avoid in pregnancy. Wild costus root is critically endangered and restricted under CITES, so use only cultivated, legally sourced material.