Fresh stem sections are gently boiled for about fifteen minutes in water, then filtered. This decoction is traditionally consumed warm, in small sips, on the advice of a traditional practitioner. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
The freshly cut stem is pressed to extract the juice, applied directly to the skin using a clean cloth. This use remains external and occasional. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
The cleaned rhizome is cut and then boiled at length, according to traditional uses reserved for experienced practitioners given the more concentrated nature of this part of the plant. This preparation absolutely requires the supervision of a professional. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Costus afer grows spontaneously in humid undergrowth and forest clearings of West and Central Africa; it is sometimes found cultivated at the edge of gardens in these regions, but remains rare in Western herbalist shops.
The stem is best harvested during the rainy season, when the plant is in full growth and its pith well saturated with sap.