Herb of the Month: Costus Root (Mu xiang)

Using herbs to address gastrointestinal upset.

One of my favorite herbs for addressing gastrointestinal upset is mu xiang. Also known by the common name ‘costus root,’ mu xiang promotes digestion to relieve symptoms such as nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, poor appetite, and intestinal cramping.

With it’s origins spread throughout the Himalayas, Costus root has been used as an essential oil in trading throughout history to help protect fabrics from ruin by insects. It has a beautiful woody scent and was worn by the Romans and in India as a perfume.

There are multiple species of mu xiang that have been used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine which carry other therapeutic benefits. Studies over the last decade have shown the Saussaurea lappa variety of mu xiang’s anticancer and anti-fungal activity. It is also shown to be effective in those with diabetes and for inhibiting stomach ulcers.



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