Spiral Ginger
Costus spiralis
A tropical American plant with spiraling stems, used in Brazil since the 1600s for kidney problems, urinary infections and inflammation. It has been studied in rats and mice.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid itNothing recorded
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is Spiral Ginger?
- Plant family
- Costaceae, the spiral ginger family
- Parts used
- The leaves and young stems
- Where it grows
- Central and South America and the Caribbean, including Brazil
- Genus
- Costus
- Species
- spiralis
Regional names
Cana-do-Brejo
Traditional names
Pacocatinga
Traditionally used for
- Kidney problems
- Urinary infections
- Inflammation
- Coughs
- Arthritis
Traditionally described as
- Protects the kidneys (in animal studies)
- May help reduce inflammation (in animal studies)
Natural compounds
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
In Brazil, spiral ginger is used for kidney problems such as kidney infections, kidney stones and an inflamed urethra, and for inflammation. Indigenous Brazilians used it as early as the 1600s, when it was called "pacocatinga". The Costus genus is on Brazil's national list of medicinal plants of interest to its public health system.[1]Study
Brazilian medicinal teas use it for urinary infections, coughs, inflammation and arthritis.[2]Study
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In rats whose kidneys were damaged by the cancer drug cisplatin, a leaf extract almost fully restored kidney function. A single high dose caused no deaths in rats.[1]Study
Technical detail: 5–30 mg/kg orally; plasma creatinine and creatinine clearance restored (p < 0.001); acute dose 2000 mg/kg, OECD 423 class 5.
In mice, leaf fractions given by mouth reduced pain from inflammation and lowered inflammation in the belly and in arthritic paws. They didn't act on the brain's pain response.[2]Study
Technical detail: acetic acid writhing, formalin (inflammatory phase), zymosan peritonitis and Freund's adjuvant arthritis models.
In short
No studies in people were found.
Sources
- [1] Costus spiralis extract restores kidney function in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity model: Ethnopharmacological use, chemical and toxicological investigation · DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115510Peer-reviewed study
- [2] Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe leaves fractions have potential to reduce effects of inflammatory diseases · DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113607Peer-reviewed study
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.