ABSTRACT
Costus root oil is the essential oil obtained from the roots of the costus, Saussurea costus. Costus can also be found in Pakistan. The major producers of cultivated Saussurea costus are India, China and Vietnam. The costus is a well-known medicinal plant used in the indigenous systems of medicine in India, Korea, Tibet, China, and Japan. Costus roots and its products have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, cholagogue, immune-modulatory, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, insect repellent and central nervous system depressant properties. Costus root oil is a yellow to brown, viscous liquid which has a woody, erogenic animal, balsamic and slightly sweet odor. Contact allergy to/allergic contact dermatitis from costus root oil has been reported in a few older studies only. Costus root oil is an irritant and has a strong sensitizing capacity due to the presence of the sesquiterpene lactones costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone.
