Natural Health

Costus afer, the Health Cane

16/03/2026

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Costus afer (family Costaceae) is widely known across Nigeria’s major ethnic groups because of its extensive medicinal use. The plant is a tall, perennial, herbaceous shrub. It is known as Kakizawa in Hausa, Okpete or Okpoto in Igbo, and Tẹtẹ-egun, Ìrẹkẹ ọmọde or Ìrẹkẹ ogun in Yoruba. Common English names include ginger lily, spiral ginger, bush cane and monkey sugar.

Constituents

Proximate analysis of the stems of Costus afer shows the presence of moisture, crude fat, ash, crude protein, crude fibre and carbohydrates. Phytochemical analyses have revealed alkaloids (papaverine and narcotine), flavonoids (myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol), saponins (sapogenin, saponine and diosgenin), glycosides (costugenin, digitoxin, digoxin and salicin), and fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, palmitic, oleic and stearic acids).

Preparations

Costus afer is commonly available in markets as fresh stems. It is also sold in processed forms, including powdered preparations and herbal teas.

Pharmacological actions and medicinal uses

Research has shown that Costus afer possesses antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, supporting its use in the management of diabetes, arthritis and oxidative stress. Other studies have demonstrated hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, diuretic, testicular-protective, central nervous system-depressant, analgesic, and antibacterial activities.

In tropical Africa, infusions of the plant are taken to treat tachycardia, hypertension and gastrointestinal complaints, and are also used as stimulants and aphrodisiacs. Stem decoctions, mashed or chewed stems, or pounded fruits -sometimes mixed with sugarcane juice – are used to treat cough, respiratory problems and sore throat. Smoke from dried stems is inhaled to relieve cough. Leaf sap is applied as eye drops for eye disorders and as nasal drops for headaches associated with vertigo, and is also used to treat oedema and fever. Leaf sap or rhizome decoctions are taken in the treatment of malaria.

The stem sap is used in the management of urethral discharge, venereal diseases and jaundice, and is also believed to help prevent miscarriage. Owing to its rubefacient properties, stem sap is applied to treat various skin conditions. The plant is additionally used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, intestinal worms, haemorrhoids, nausea, thirst, epileptic seizures, abscesses, ulcers, toothache, diarrhoea, amoebic dysentery, leprosy, venereal diseases and colic.

Adverse effects

Costus afer may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. It may also contain contaminants such as aristolochic acid, which has been associated with carcinogenicity and kidney damage.

Economic uses and potential

The stem bark of Costus afer is sometimes used in the production of table mats, baskets and paper, while the stems may be utilised in house construction. The sap can be used to coagulate latex and is incorporated into skin-nourishing creams. The plant also serves as fodder for small ruminants and poultry. Certain constituents are useful as raw materials in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as steroids and in the production of nutritional supplements for humans and animals. The leaves are commonly used for wrapping food items. Processed Costus afer root powder typically sells for between N4,000 and N8,000 for quantities ranging from 100 g to 200 g.