Herb × Condition

Kushtha for Hiccups

Sanskrit: कुष्ठ | Saussurea lappa C.B. Clarke

How Kushtha helps with Hiccups according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Kushtha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for hiccups. Highly aromatic root used since ancient times. Now protected. Extensively used in skin diseases and respiratory disorders.

How Kushtha Helps with Hiccups

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Kushtha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing hiccups:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna
  • Taste (Rasa): Tikta, Katu, Madhura
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Tikta, Katu, Madhura
Quality (Guna)
Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
Potency (Virya)
Ushna
Key Constituents
Essential oil (1.5-2%), Costunolide (sesquiterpene lactone), Dehydrocostus lactone, Saussurea lactone, Inulin
Also Known As
Sanskrit: कुष्ठ, रोगघ्न, पारिभद्र, वाप्य
Hindi: कूठ, कुठ, कुड
Classical Text References (3 sources)

Kustha-svitra-krimi nidanam (diagnosis of leprosy, leucoderma and parasites).

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 1: Ayushkameeya Adhyaya

Kustha cikitsita (treatment of leprosy).

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 1: Ayushkameeya Adhyaya

In order to get over it, Tikta ghrita (medicated ghee recipe described in the treatment of kustha chapter 19 of Chikitsa sthana), purgation therapy and blood letting should be resorted to.

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 3: Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal

Virechyah – persons suitable for purgation therapy:वरे कसा या गु माश व फोट य गकामलाः जीण वरोदरगर छ ल हहल मकाः व धि त मरं काचः य दः प वाशय यथाः यो नशु ा यरोगाः को ठगाः कृमयो वाता मू वगं र तं मू ाघातः शकृ णाः हः वा या च कु ठमेहा याः Diseases requiring purgation therapy areGulma – Tumors of the abdomen, Arsha – Piles, Visphota- blisters, Vyanga – discolored patch on face, Kamala – Jaundice, Liver disease Jeernajwara - Chronic fever, Udara – ascites, interstinal obstruction Poisoning, Chroni

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 18: Vamana Virechana Vidhi

13-15 For Shamana- Madyama, medium kind of smoke शमने श लक ला ा प ृ वीका कमलो पलम ् य ोधोद ु बरा व थ ल रो वचः सताः यि टमधु सुवण वक् प कं र तयि टका ग धा चाकु ठतगराः useful drugs are - shallaki, Laksha,Prithvika, Kamala, Utpala, Barks of Nyagrodha, Udumbara, Asvattha, Plaksa and Rodhra; Sita, Yasthimadhu (licorice), Suvarnatwak, Padmaka, Raktayastika Kustha, tagara and other scents – perfumeries.

— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 21: Dhumpana Medicated Smoking

Source: Astanga Hridaya, Ch. 1, Ch. 1, Ch. 3, Ch. 18, Ch. 21

Kustha-svitra-krimi nidanam (diagnosis of leprosy, leucoderma and parasites).

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya

Kustha cikitsita (treatment of leprosy).

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya

In order to get over it, Tikta ghrita (medicated ghee recipe described in the treatment of kustha chapter 19 of Chikitsa sthana), purgation therapy and blood letting should be resorted to.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal

Virechyah – persons suitable for purgation therapy:वरे कसा या गु माश व फोट य गकामलाः जीण वरोदरगर छ ल हहल मकाः व धि त मरं काचः य दः प वाशय यथाः यो नशु ा यरोगाः को ठगाः कृमयो वाता मू वगं र तं मू ाघातः शकृ णाः हः वा या च कु ठमेहा याः Diseases requiring purgation therapy areGulma – Tumors of the abdomen, Arsha – Piles, Visphota- blisters, Vyanga – discolored patch on face, Kamala – Jaundice, Liver disease Jeernajwara - Chronic fever, Udara – ascites, interstinal obstruction Poisoning, Chroni

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Vamana Virechana Vidhi

Sita, Yasthimadhu (licorice), Suvarnatwak, Padmaka, Raktayastika Kustha, tagara and other scents – perfumeries.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dhumpana Medicated Smoking

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya; Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal; Vamana Virechana Vidhi; Dhumpana Medicated Smoking

The mahatikta ghritam indicated in paittika kustha should also be given by the intelligent physician for the alleviation of visarpa.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Warm kustha (costus) oil added with pakya kshara (prepared medicinal alkali) or warm cow’s urine or decoction of vata kaphahara leaves should be used as affusion on the affected part.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

), sour curd, yeast, kustha (Saussurea lappa C.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

8 parts- kustha- Saussurea lappa C.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

If pain (in the cardiac region) aggravates on consumption of food, demises during digestion and relieved on empty stomach, the patient should be given (powder of) devadaru, kustha, tilvaka, two salts (saindhava, sauvarchala), vidanga and ativisha along with hot water.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Safety & Precautions

Contraindications: With excess dryness and very; high vata it should be combined; with demulcent herbs such as; sesame, shatavari, bala. Caution; with high pitta in the digestive; tract

Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.

Other Herbs for Hiccups

See all herbs for hiccups on the Hiccups page.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.