WHAT DOES OUR RELIGION SAY ABOUT QISTUL-HINDI?

Al-Qust (Latin: Costaceae or Costus) is a medicinal and aromatic Indian plant [1]. Arab traders brought this healing plant from India and China to the Arabian Peninsula by sea. That is why it is called qistul-bahri (sea costus) or qistul-hindi (Indian costus).

The sea costus is white and softer, while the Indian costus is black and very bitter. However, both have many benefits. In a hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik (ra), it is mentioned about this plant:

إِنَّ أَفْضَلَ مَا تَدَاوَيْتُمْ بِهِ الْحِجَامَةُ، وَالْقُسْطُ الْبَحْرِيُّ

“Indeed, the best remedies you use are cupping and qistul-bahri.” [2]

Umm Qays heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say:

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

“Use this Indian wood, for it contains seven cures: it is used as a nasal treatment for throat illnesses, and as an oral treatment for pleurisy [3].” [4]

Doctors have noted the benefits of this plant: “It helps with menstruation and urination, neutralizes poison, increases sexual vitality, kills intestinal worms when taken with honey, removes skin blemishes, and is beneficial for stomach and liver diseases, fever, and swelling, among other things.” [5] It is also useful for clearing phlegm, relieving colds, treating lung inflammation, and more [6].

Although the hadith mentions that qistul-hindi is a cure for seven diseases, experience has shown that it is effective for many ailments. It has even been called a natural antibiotic. It also helps boost immunity.

As for methods of use, qistul-hindi powder can be mixed with olive oil and applied to the body, mixed with water or honey and taken orally, dropped into the nose with olive oil, or used as incense [7].

Therefore, based on the above, qistul-hindi is a remedy for various diseases. It can especially be used for bronchitis, cough, and similar conditions.

Bauyrzhan Abdualiyev,

Specialist, Sharia and Fatwa Department, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan

• [1] Tahzibu al-lugha, 8/298.

• [2] Bukhari, No.5696.

• [3] Some say this refers to kidney or tuberculosis diseases.

• [4] Bukhari, No.5692. Muslim, No.2214.

• [5] Mirqat al-mafatih sharh mishkat al-masabih, 8/353.

• [6] Ad-Dinu al-khalis aw irshadu al-khalqi ila dini al-haqq, 7/39.

• [7] Fath al-bari, 10/157.