Kebuka

Basonym of Drug-Kebuka

Main Synonym-Kembukam, kevuka, kebuka

Botanical Name-Costus speciosus

Family-Zingiberaceae

Useful Parts -Rhizome

Important Phytoconstituent - Saponins, costusosides, diosgenin, tigogenin

Rasa Panchak

Rasa : Tikta, kashaya

Guna : laghu, ruksha

Virya : shita

Vipaka : katu

Action-Kaphapittahara

Therapeutic Indication - Kandughna (treat pruritus), kusthaghna (useful in skin disorders), deepen (appetizer), krimighna (anti-helminthic), balya (bulk promoting)

Dose -Rhizome powder - 3-6 gm, juice - 10-20 ml

Formulations - Nishoshiradi taila, asanaeladi taila, krimighna Kash

Therapeutic Usage-

(1) Slipada- Juice of Kebuka rhizome is mixed with Vida lavana and the juice of Putranjivaka is given orally (S.S.CI, 19).

(2) Krmi- Juice of Kebuka is administered while keeping the individual on pungent diet (S.S.Ut. 54).

Research-

(1) The saponins of the plant were found to have significant anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic activity against acute pedal inflammation induced by carrageenin in albino rats (Parikh et al., 1970).

(2) The saponins significantly increased the weight of uterus in spayed albino rats and the results being comparable to those produced by stilbesterol. The saponins produced pro- liferative changes in uterus and vagina which were similar to those produced by stilbesterol (Pandy et al., 1972, Singh et al., 1972).

(3) The alkaloids isolated from the plant possessed anti-cholinesterase activity both in vitro and in vivo (Bhattacharya et al., 1972).

(4) Alkaloidal fraction from rhizomes showed papaverine-like smooth muscle relaxant, an- tispasmodic, cardiotonic, hydrocholeretic, diuretic and CNS depressant activities in labo-

ratory animals (J.Res. Ind.Med. 1973,8.10).