Costus speciosus 閉鞘薑

POISONOUS PARTS

Rhizomes, especially the fresh one.^2,3

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Saponins and other unidentified alkaloids.^3–5

• Mechanism

  Large quantities of saponins may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.⁶

• Poisoning Features

  Dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.^3,7

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Herbs. Stems 1–3 m tall, spirally twisted when old. Leaves spirally arranged; leaf blades 15–20 × 6–10 cm, abaxially densely sericeous. Spikes terminal, 5–15 cm long. Corolla lobes white, 6.5–9 cm long, trumpet-shaped, apex toothed and crisped. Stamens about 4.5 × 1.3 cm, white with orange-yellow base, urceolate, pubescent. Capsules about 1.5 cm long, red. Seeds about 3 mm long, black.⁸

MEDICINAL USES

Rhizomes used in TCM: promote urination to alleviate oedema, clear heat and remove toxin, relieve itching. Recommended dose: 3–6 g. In addition, in Indian folk medicine, rhizomes have been used for the purgative, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic and antibacterial properties.^2,4,9,10