A plant genus of the family Costaceae (sometimes classified in Zingiberaceae), order Zingiberales, subclass Zingiberidae, class Liliopsida (monocotyledons). It is a source of SAPONINS and furostanol glycosides.
The root of which is aromatic, and has been considered tonic, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, &c. The virtues of the ancient costus are highly extolled. - Theophrastus, Dioscorides, Pliny, Galen.
