Kembuka
Costus speciosus
Kembuka (Costus speciosus) is a plant drug, from the Costaceae family. Traditional preparation with Trikatu enhances absorption of lipophilic constituents. Decoction form provides hydrolyzed glycosides with improved absorption. Mucilaginous constituents slow but sustain absorption.
| Botanical name | Costus speciosus |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. V: KEBUKA (Rhizome) |
| Also called | Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta (nomenclatural synonym) Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht (nomenclatural synonym) |
| Currently accepted name | Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta, the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Costaceae |
| Order | Zingiberales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2756724 · Wikidata Q15250450 · NCBI Taxonomy 49577 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Kembuka |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kalka (paste), Capsule, Phanta (hot infusion)
Standard Dosage: 2-4 g powder twice daily; 40-80 mL decoction twice daily; paste for external application as needed
Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water; for anti-inflammatory applications, twice daily at consistent intervals
Storage: Store dried rhizome material in airtight containers at 15-30°C. High moisture content of raw rhizome (>70%) demands thorough drying to <10% moisture. Protect from humidity and insect infestation.
Marker Compounds: Diosgenin, Costunolide, Eremanthin, Stigmasterol, Beta-sitosterol, Gracillin, Prosapogenin
Synergistic Combinations
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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