Keyu (Costus speciosus )
March 1st, 2008 Botanical Name:Costus speciosus (Koening ex Retz.) J.E. Smith (Zingiberaceae)
Genus: Banksea
Family: Costaceae
Syn : Banksea speciosa J. Koening
Sanskrit names: Canda, Kemuka.
Vernacular names: Ben: Keu; Hin : Kebu, Keyu, Kusi; Kan : Chengaivakoshtu; Mal: Cannakilannu, Cannakkuvva, Narumeanna; Mar: Penva, Pushkarmula; Tam:Tel: Kostam, Kuiravam, Kottam; Chengaivakohtu.
Trade name: Keyu.
Habitat:Throughout India; Pakistan and Bangladesh-in moist localities and in wastelands.
Description : Succulent perennial herb with long leafy spirally twisted stems, 2-3 m high and horizontal rhizomes; leaves simple, spirally arranged, obÂlanceolate or oblong, glabrous above, silky pubescent beneath with broad leaf sheaths; flowers white, large, scented, in large terminal spikes; bracts bright red; fruits globose / ovoid capsules; seeds obovoid or semiÂglobose.
…
Flowering: September-October; inflorescence globose of closely packed bracts.
Ecology and cultivation: Hills above 800 m; moist places and wastelands also.
Chemical content: Root: rich in starch
Medicinal uses: Rhizome: bitter, astringent, acrid, cooling, purgative, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, depurative, febrifuge, expectorant and tonic, also beneficial in asthma, anaemia, bronchitis, leprosy, flatulence, constipation, fever, skin diseases and inflammation.
Modern use: in carcinoÂgenic tumours.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider
Sources:http://www.bsienvis.org/medi.htm#Bauhinia%20vahlii
2 Comments
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
If you liked the post, please subscribe to my RSS feed.If we could help you, please spread the word.
[...] Pam’s House Blend …always steamin’! wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Botanical Name:Costus speciosus (Koening ex Retz.) J.E. Smith (Zingiberaceae) Genus: Banksea Family: Costaceae Syn : Banksea speciosa J. Koening Sanskrit names: Canda, Kemuka. Vernacular names: Ben: Keu; Hin : Kebu, Keyu, Kusi; Kan : Chengaivakoshtu; Mal: Cannakilannu, Cannakkuvva, Narumeanna; Mar: Penva, Pushkarmula; Tam:Tel: Kostam, Kuiravam, Kottam; Chengaivakohtu. Trade name: Keyu. Habitat:Throughout India; Pakistan and Bangladesh-in moist localities and in wastelands. Description [...]
[...] reduced his stress levels ahead of next month&39s trials for the Beijing Games. …www.smh.com.auKeyu Costus speciosus Botanical Name:Costus speciosus Koening ex Retz. J.E. Smith Zingiberaceae Genus: Banksea Family: [...]