Abu Bakr ibn al ‘Arabee stated:

‘Qist (Qust, Costus) is of two types: Hindi (Indian) – which is black, and Bahree which is white. Al Qist al-Hindi is hotter than al Bahri.”

Ummu Qays bint Mihsan said: I heard the Messenger of Allah – صلى الله عليه وسلم – say:

It is upon you to use ‘Al ‘Uood al Hindee’ [i.e. Qist/Costus], for indeed it contains seven cures; it is inhaled through the nostrils to relive throat aches/tonsillitis and placed in the sides of the mouth for the relief of Dhaat al Janb

^{Originally from India, or many other countries, the Indian costus, called “qust al hindi” in Arabic, is widely used in traditional medicine and more specifically in prophetic medicine. Indeed, since many centuries, this plant is used for the treatment of many ailments .}