Family

Asteraceae

Genus

Saussurea

Common Name

Kuth root

Plant Figure

Description

Saussurea lappa is a well-known medicinal plant used in Ayurveda, Unani, Tibetan, and Chinese medicinal systems. It is a perennial herb endemic to the upper Himalayas at an altitude of 2600–4000 m and spread across various parts of India, China, and Pakistan. At the biochemical level, S. lappa has terpenes in abundance but it also contains alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, lignin, tannins, and anthraquinones. The pharmaceutical properties of S. lappa include anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic activity, anti-hepatotoxic activity, anti-fungal, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, antiulcer, antiviral, and antitumor activities.