Insulin Plant a Wonder Drug for Blood Sugar Treatment
Costus igneus is an herb and native of Brazil. It was later introduced to India and other parts of the world. The insulin plant for blood sugar treatment is considered the best medicinal plant.
Spiral flag or Insulin plant a wonder drug for blood sugar treatment is a gift from mother nature. It can be grown in your home garden easily. We will let you know, how to grow insulin plants at home.
This article can be a big help to patients who are suffering from high blood sugar or diabetes. You must go through this article to know the insulin plant benefits. How insulin plant works and how can we treat diabetes naturally with the help of insulin plant.
How Does it work? – Insulin plant for blood sugar control?
The insulin plant helps us to cure diabetes naturally because of its ability to lowering down blood sugar levels.
It acts on the cells of the pancreas to release insulin. Costus igneus also improves the sensitivity of insulin. It works like the insulin produced by the body or used as an injection.
This is also beneficial to people with obesity ad other metabolic disorders.
The benefit of the insulin plant comes from its phytochemical content.
the active constituents of the plant include Flavonoids, triterpenoids, fatty acids, proteins, and Corsolic acid work to delay carbohydrate absorption, increase glucose uptake and storage; and increase the effect of endogenous insulin.
Benefits of Insulin Plant for blood sugar patients
The insulin plant is known as a spiral flag or step ladder or fiery Costus. Its botanical name is Costus igneus.
It’s very useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Costus igneus is used extensively for ages as an antidiabetic drug in India.
This plant has many properties and is used for other ailments also.
Following are the benefits of the Insulin Plant.
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Anti-diabetic – Helpful in the treatment of blood sugar
The green leaves of the insulin plant are rich in aminoglycosides, alkaloids, and other medicinal active constituents.
Various types of research prove that the insulin plant has a great ability to control blood sugar.
There are many active chemical constituents in the leaves of the insulin plants those help in reducing blood sugar levels.
This plant is loaded with many nutrients including Carbohydrates, Steroids, tannins, saponins, Corsolic acid, B carotene, ascorbic acid, Iron, Proteins, Flavonoids, terpenoids, and many more.
Corsolic acid is one of the active constituents of the green leaves of the insulin plant. when ingested it works magically and promotes the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.
Insulin neutralizes blood glucose and helps in controlling blood sugar.
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Hypolipidemic – Helpful in decreasing the level of cholesterol in the blood
A study shows that the extracts of the insulin plant reversed diabetic-induced hyperlipidemia and significantly reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The hypolipidemic property of this plant can prevent heart attacks and coronary artery diseases.
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Diuretic Properties
The active constituents found in the plant’s leaves, and plant parts act as a very potent diuretic. Significant diuretics’ properties can help in kidney disease treatment and controlling high blood pressure. The diuretic property of the plant can also be helpful in flushing out small kidney stones.
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Prevents Kidney stone formation
Active constituents isolated from the stem of the plant like lupeol and stigmasterol showed the inhibitory effect of calcium oxalate urolithiasis and inhibits the formation of stones. The diuretic property of the plant is also helpful in removing kidney stones.
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Anti-oxidant activities
Flowers of the Costus igneus plant help reduce oxidative stress and free radical-mediated diseases. Flowers of insulin plant contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and B Carotene which acts as an anti-oxidant role.
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Anti-bacterial
Extract of Costus igneus shows antimicrobial activity against various gram-positive bacteria and has anti-fungal properties too.
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Anti-Cancer effects
The extract of insulin plant leaves was found to have anti-proliferative and anti-cancer effects potential in vitro mammalian fibrosarcoma. Its bark also has anti-cancer activities.
How do grow Insulin Plant at Home?
Spiral Flag or insulin plant can be grown easily at your home. It grows in full sunlight or partial shade and requires fertile soil and enough moisture. It’s generally grown near the water. Pests really do not harm this plant but mites and nematodes can be a problem.
- Check for the ideal location to grow the plant – Fertile and moist soil with partial shade/sunlight. It might amaze you to know that the insulin plant is a sucker in both air and soil
- This is a Ginger Family plant and so you can rhizome and cut to grow it.
- Dig deep up to 3-5 inches and plant the rhizome or cutting to allow the plant to grow
- Ensure optimum foliage and compost to the soil and make it better to grow the plant. You can add fertilizers to improve the quality of soil further.
- Avoid overwatering the plant in winter.
- The best temperature to grow the plant is 35 to 45 degrees centigrade.
How to use or Eat Insulin Plant?
The active constituent in the insulin plant is Corsolic acid. The Leaves of the insulin plant are used as medicine to cure diabetes mellitus type 2.
Up to 2 Green leaves once a day is recommended dose for diabetes along with an antidiabetic diet. Remember, do not use more than two leaves per day, and should be taken under the guidance of a physician or herbal medicine expert.
The other method to use the plant leaves is to by drying the leaves. Pluck the leaves and dry them in shade. You can make powder from these dried leaves.
One tablespoon of Powder from the insulin plant’s leaves can be consumed daily as per your doctor’s recommendation. This method is also equally effective and can be used to treat blood sugar.
Insulin plant is also available in different forms to use like Liquid extract, Capsule, and in the form of Tea.
Caution: Only one leaf a day or one tablespoon per day is a recommended dose for diabetic patients and it should be taken under the guidance of a qualified doctor. Otherwise, it can lead to other health risks and complications.
From where to get the Insulin Plant?
Insulin plant is not easily available in plant nurseries or your nearby market. If you have any nearby nursery you can check or order for the plant. But you can buy it easily from online stores or plant-delivering online portals like:
The Best way is to grow the insulin plant in your home garden.
FAQs on Insulin Plant for blood sugar treatment
What is the recommended dose of insulin plant?
Up to 2 green leaves per day (depending on the weight of the patient) one leaf in the morning and one leaf in the evening; OR one tablespoon of insulin plant powder per day.
Is insulin Plant bad for the heart?
How the insulin plant and its active constituents affect the heart is not very clear. But animal studies suggest that insulin protects the heart from stress. However, antioxidant and diuretic properties can help in eliminating toxins from the body and reducing blood pressure.
How effective is the insulin plant for diabetes?
Green leaves and powder of the dry leaves of the plant have been shown to be effective in controlling and reducing blood sugar levels. Studies and patient experiences showed that continuing the insulin plant with conventional medicines helps in reducing blood sugar and the doses of conventional drugs as well.
What are the side effects of the insulin plant?
Consumption of the leaves of the Costa ligneous plant can cause low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia if overdosed. The following Potential but rare side effects of the plant are reported:
- Skin irritation if applied locally on the skin
- Allergies or Rashes if the patient is allergic to the plant
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
No major adverse effects are reported if consumed in prescribed doses.
Is the insulin plant safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
There is no sufficient data or studies available regarding the safety and other side effects during pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers.
Insulin plants or their active constituents should be used during pregnancy and lactation only if the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the fetus or the feeding child as determined by your gynecologists and pediatrician.
Conclusion
Insulin Plant is a wonder drug for blood sugar patients that can prevent the complications of high blood sugar. Daily use of plant leaves can save your kidney functions, and heart functions and prevents heart attacks in diabetic patients. So use the insulin plant under the guidance of your doctor. Be natural and stay healthy.
