No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Costus Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbal Terra

Liquid Category: Botanical
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

Costus is a dietary supplement by Herbal Terra with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for digestive upset and gas, cough and breathing complaints, skin conditions (topical).We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Costus by Herbal Terra

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: Costus (Saussurea costus) dried root liquid extract. It's a concentrated liquid form of the dried root.

The only other ingredient is menstruum, which is the liquid base used to extract and deliver the costus.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Costus product and its label doesn't state a use — see Costus's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for costus as a treatment for intestinal parasite infections is insufficient — we don't have enough reliable data to know whether it works for that purpose.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Costus

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Human safety data for costus are limited, and product quality varies widely from brand to brand. Costus may cause allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis (a skin rash from contact), in some people.

Because it's traditionally believed to stimulate the uterus, it's best avoided during pregnancy. There isn't enough safety information to know whether it's okay while breastfeeding — avoid it in that case too.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Costus

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we checked. That doesn't mean none exist, so run your full medication list through the search tool below before you start.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

Costus is an herbal extract with limited safety data. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, skip it.

If you're prone to allergies or have sensitive skin, be cautious. Talk with your pharmacist before starting, especially if you have questions about whether it's right for you.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Sep 25, 2020.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Costus, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbal Terra
Barcode (UPC) 617503512413
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Sep 25, 2020
DSLD ID 234435
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Sugar Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Costus by Herbal Terra, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
617503512413
IngredientAmount% DV
Costus (Saussurea costus) dried root liquid extract970 mg--

Other ingredients: Menstruum

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Origin of plant material: India.

Manufactured in the USA in an FDA registered facility

Sugar free

Dried herb/menstruum ratio: 1:3 Expertly extracted Laboratory tested 330 mg/1 mL Premium product Super concentrated liquid herbal extract

Non GMO

No artificial ingredients, GMO, gluten, color additives, fillers, preservatives or binders. Natural Gluten Free

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Direction Shake well before use. Adults take up to 30 drops (1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 3-4 fl. oz of juice or water up to 4 times a day. We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking this or any other herbal supplements.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Notice This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Caution May have contraindications.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult a physician before using during pregnancy, if nursing, or if you are on any medications.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry, dark place.

Formula

Saussurea costus

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Seals/Symbols

Made in USA Made in an FDA registered facility Natural Gluten Free

See for yourself

Costus by Herbal Terra label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Costus by Herbal Terra

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

970 mg per serving

Costus (Saussurea costus) is a root used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and traditional Chinese medicine, mostly for digestive and respiratory complaints. High-...

Costus (Saussurea costus) dried root liquid extract monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Menstruum. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Costus by Herbal Terra Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Costus. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Costus, from the product label.

Herbal Terra

See all Herbal Terra products
Name
Herbal Terra
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Costus by Herbal Terra: Common Questions

Does Costus by Herbal Terra interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Costus. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Costus contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is this safe to use while I'm pregnant?
No — costus is traditionally believed to stimulate the uterus, so it's best avoided during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's safe for you.
Can I take this while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to know whether it's okay while breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid it. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for alternatives if you're looking for something similar.
What are the side effects?
Costus might cause allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis (a skin rash). Stop and talk with us right away if you notice any skin irritation or other signs of an allergy.
Does this actually work for parasites?
The evidence isn't strong enough to say. We don't have reliable data to know whether costus truly works for intestinal parasite infections.
Why is the safety data so limited?
Costus hasn't been studied extensively in humans, and the quality and purity of products vary widely. That's why it's important to talk with us before you use it — we can help you find something with better evidence if you need it.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Costus is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Costus label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Costus’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Costus's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 6 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Costus 6 references
  1. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
  2. Marzulli, F. N. and Maibach, H. I. Effects of vehicles and elicitation concentration in contact dermatitis testing. I. Experimental contact sensitization in humans. Contact Dermatitis 1976;2(6):325-329. PubMed
  3. Mitchell, J. C. Contact hypersensitivity to some perfume materials. Contact Dermatitis 1975;1(4):196-199. PubMed
  4. Benezra, C. and Epstein, W. L. Molecular recognition patterns of sesquiterpene lactones in costus-sensitive patients. Contact Dermatitis 1986;15(4):223-230. PubMed
  5. Mitchell, J. C. and Epstein, W. L. Contact hypersensitivity to a perfume material, Costus Absolute. The role of sesquiterpene lactones. Arch.Dermatol 1974;110(6):871-873. DOI
  6. Cheminat, A., Stampf, J. L., Benezra, C., Farrall, M. J., and Frechet, J. M. Allergic contact dermatitis to costus: removal of haptens with polymers. Acta Derm.Venereol. 1981;61(6):525-529. DOI

See these in context on the Costus monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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