Overview
Kushtha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites and worms. Highly aromatic root used since ancient times. Now protected. Extensively used in skin diseases and respiratory disorders.
How Kushtha Helps with Parasites and Worms
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Kushtha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites and worms:
- 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 Parasites and Worms
See all herbs for parasites and worms on the Parasites and Worms 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.