संस्कृत नाम- कॆमुकम्
Botanical name - Costus speciosus
Description - Succulent perennial herb with long leafy spirally twisted stems, 2-3 m high and horizontal rhizomes; leaves simple, spirally arranged, ob-lanceolate or oblong, glabrous above, silky pubescent beneath with broad leaf sheaths; flowers white, large, scented, in large terminal spikes; bracts bright red; fruits globose / ovoid capsules; seeds obovoid or semi-globose.
Chemical_Constituents- Root contains aliphatic hydroxy ketones, diosgenin, triterpenes, starch, mucilage. Rhizome contains oxo acids, fatty acids, diosgenin, abscisic acid, saponins, corticosteroids. Rhizomes and stems contain tigogenin and diosgenin. Leaves contain alpha-amyrins, stearate, Beta-amyrin and lupeol. Seeds contain benzoquinones
Uses - It is credited with purgative and tonic properties. The root is said to be purgative and is used in Uttar Pradesh as a tonic, antihelmintic and aphrodisiac. Root is also used in catarrh fever, cough, dyspepsia, worms, skin diseases and snakebites. This species is one of the indigenous sources for steroid synthesis; however, the percentage of diosgenin is lesser than in Dioscorea species. Alkaloids from rhizomes have been found to possess antispasmodic, cardiotonic, hydrocholeratic and diuretic activities; also depressant on central nervous system.