Costus oil (oil extracted from costus root) has been used in leprosy. Saussurea costus root has also been used in many other medical conditions including chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and bronchitis in traditional medicine and in inflammation-related diseases.

Qusthul hindi is an herb whose roots and oil have long been used in traditional medicine. Apart from being a medicine, qusthul hindi is also often used to add flavor to food. This herb is widely used in Middle Eastern and Asian countries, such as India, Japan, and
China.