Derived from a group of herbaceous plants belonging to the “Asteraceae” family is an essential oil known as Costus Oil. This oil is extracted from a group of plants/herbs belonging to a species called “Saussurea Lappa” sometimes referred to as “spiral gingers” within the plant kingdom. Furthermore, this oil is extracted from the root of the plan using the “steam distillation” process. In addition, this oil is extremely “aromatic” in odour, and hence is used in the manufacturing of perfumes.
A. Chemical constituents of Costus Oil:
This oil is extracted from a group of herbaceous plants belonging to a species within a plant kingdom known as “Saussurea Lappa”. In addition, this oil also consists of organic compounds such as costunolide, dehydrocostus lactone, costuslactone, saussureal, alantolactone, o-cyclocostunolide, isozaluzanin etc. Furthermore, this oil also comprises of organic substances such as saussureanine, cholamine, syringin, picriside B, etc.
B. The uses and benefits of the Costus Oil:
There are number of benefits to using Costus Oi. However, one should also consider the adverse reactions or side effects reported from its use:
1. Respiratory system:
This oil possesses a property that provides expansion of airways thereby allowing air into the lungs, and thereby enabling the treatment of conditions such as asthma.
2. Decongestant:
This oil is also used commonly in treatment of cold since it comprises of a property that helps in clearing lung congestion, and thereby serves as a decongestant.
3. Carminative:
This oil also comprises of a property that helps resolving the issue of gas formation within the gastrointestinal system, and thereby serve as a carminative.
4. Digestion:
This oil when used helps in resolving digestion issues and also helps in treating GI diseases such as dysentery and cholera.
5. Flavouring agent:
This oil is also used commonly in the food and beverage industry as flavouring agent due to its aromatic odour.
C. The adverse effects of the Costus Oil:
There are a couple of adverse effects that the use of this oil could lead to and which must be noted. They are as follows:
- This oil is extremely harmful to pregnancy, and hence pregnant women must avoid it.
- This oil could cause allergic reactions especially in those individuals who are allergic to the plants belonging to the Asteraceae family.
