Aucklandia, also known as costus or Mu Xiang, is the root of the plant Saussurea costus.
Aucklandia can be prepared as either a distilled extract or as an essential oil.
When used externally, aucklandia causes skin irritation (contact dermatitis) in some sensitive individuals.
Aucklandia is used to treat symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, colon spasms, poor digestion, abdominal gas, and stomach pain.
A 1991 study published in the Journal of the Pakistani Medical Association found that oral doses of an extract of the root of Saussurea lappa significantly reduced nematode infestation in children.