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Costus root (mu xiang)

Dolomiaea costus · 木香

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda.

Also called Mu xiang, Aucklandia root, Costus

Pinyin: Mù Xiāng

Sanskrit: कुष्ठ (Kushtha)

Limited safety data

A fragrant root used in Chinese medicine to ease belly pain and bloating. Ayurveda uses a related root under the name kushta.

Did you know? Costus root was a valuable trade item for centuries and was used in incense and perfumes.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Digestion & gut health. Used for gas, bloating, and poor digestion in tradition. Human trials are few.
Traditional proof
Pain & headaches. Used for sudden belly pain in Chinese medicine. Evidence is mostly lab and animal work.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Gut & intestines, Stomach, Nerves & pain

Traditional use

Chinese medicine uses mu xiang to move qi and stop belly pain, especially with bloating and poor digestion. In Ayurveda, kushta is used for skin problems and digestive trouble.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Carminative, Analgesic, Antispasmodic. Energy: warming.
Chinese medicine: 木香 Regulate Qi. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent, bitter. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Gallbladder and San Jiao channels.

How people take it

Traditional decoctions use about 3 to 9 grams of dried root.

Decoction, powder and capsule.

Where to get it

Grown in the mountains of southwest China and parts of South Asia. Sold as dried root pieces, powder, and in patent medicines. The Latin name varies between sources, including Aucklandia lappa and Saussurea lappa.

Be careful

Limited safety data. As a member of the daisy family, it may cause allergy or skin reactions in some people. Avoid in pregnancy because human data are lacking.

Avoid if: pregnancy; ragweed allergy.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Mu xiang and coptis are paired in Xiang Lian Wan (Costus and Coptis Pill) for stomach and bowel upset.

Found in these formulas

Restore the Spleen (TCM)

The honest take

Mu xiang is a common digestive herb in Chinese medicine, and it has a long history. Human trials are few, and most of the proof is tradition and lab work. Its Latin name varies between sources, so check the product label.