القسط الهندي

Indian Costus (Qust al-Hindi)

Herb & Spice Respiratory & Throat

A root, also called Indian incense, historically ground and either sniffed for throat trouble or placed at the side of the mouth for pleurisy-type chest pain.

sahih graded

عَلَيْكُمْ بِهَذَا الْعُودِ الْهِنْدِيِّ فَإِنَّ فِيهِ سَبْعَةَ أَشْفِيَةٍ، يُسْعَطُ بِهِ مِنَ الْعُذْرَةِ، وَيُلَدُّ بِهِ مِنْ ذَاتِ الْجَنْبِ

“Use this Indian wood [costus], for it holds healing for seven ailments — sniffed for throat inflammation and given at the side of the mouth for pleurisy.” (meaning, not a literal translation)

Sahih al-Bukhari 5692; Sahih Muslim 2214 Sahih

Ibn al-Qayyim's Commentary

Ibn al-Qayyim lists costus among warming remedies for the chest and respiratory tract, used as a nasal preparation or mixed into oil.

Caution

Use only food/cosmetic-grade costus; concentrated essential oil preparations can irritate mucous membranes.