Costus

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Costus refers to several distinct plants used in herbalism. The most common in supplements are Aucklandia lappa (Indian costus, kuth) used in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, and Costus igneus (insulin plant), used in folk medicine for blood sugar.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Blood glucose (Costus igneus)

Limited Evidence

Small studies suggest modest glucose-lowering effects. Not a substitute for evidence-based diabetes care.

Digestion (Aucklandia, traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use and preclinical work support digestive applications; modern clinical evidence is limited.

How it works

Aucklandia lappa root contains sesquiterpene lactones (costunolide, dehydrocostuslactone) with preclinical anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiulcer activity. It is used for digestive complaints in TCM and Ayurveda. Costus igneus leaves are used in Indian folk medicine for diabetes; preclinical and small clinical studies suggest modest glucose-lowering effects, but high-quality evidence is limited.

Dosage

There is no RDA. Aucklandia: traditional doses are 1-3 g of root powder daily. Costus igneus: small studies use a few leaves or equivalent extract daily. DSLD does not provide a median dose for this entry.

When and how to take it

Traditional preparations are taken with meals in divided doses.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Aucklandia lappa root / Costus igneus leaf extract

Different species serve different traditional uses.

Species-specific; check which costus species is in your product.

Safety

Aucklandia generally well tolerated; sesquiterpene lactones can cause allergic reactions in Asteraceae-sensitive individuals. Costus igneus generally well tolerated; hypoglycemia risk with diabetes medications.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy. Caution in diabetes when combining with medications. Asteraceae allergy for aucklandia.

Interactions

Costus igneus: theoretical additive effects with antidiabetic medications. Aucklandia: limited clinically documented interactions.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'insulin plant' the same as Ayurvedic costus?⌄

No. Costus igneus (insulin plant) and Aucklandia/Saussurea costus are different plants with different uses.

Will Costus igneus cure diabetes?⌄

No. Small studies suggest modest glucose effects, but it is not a substitute for established diabetes treatment.

References

Costus on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Costus on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Costus (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Costus with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.