Costus speciosus: An Important Medicinal Plant

Costus speciosus is an important medicinal and ornamental plant used to cure different diseases. The plant has been found to possess many pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticholineesterase, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antidiuretic, larvicidal, antistress and estrogenic activity. The rhizomes of Costus speciosus are bitter, astringent, acrid, cooling, aphrodisiac, purgative, anthelminthic, depurative, febrifuge, expectorant, tonic, improve digestion, and is a stimulant herb that clears toxins. It also has anti-fertility, anabolic properties. Rhizomes are also given in diseases as pneumonia, rheumatism, dropsy, urinary diseases, jaundice, and leaves are given in mental disorders. Due to its excess use and ill effective conventional method of propagation, it becomes one of the rare, threatened plants which are on danger of extinction. Therefore there is need to conserve genetic pool of this plant species. Biotechnological approaches as tissue culture can help in conservation of this valuable plant. The present review reveals information about distribution, morphology, chemical constituents, traditional, pharmacological and medicinal uses of Costus speciosus, need for its conservation and different conservation methods using biotechnological approaches.