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Insulin Plant (Costus igneus)
Costus igneus a medicinal plant is a Magic Cure for Diabetes. Its leaves helps to build up insulin in the human body so it is commonly known as insulin plant in India This plant was grown in America and is becoming popular in India because of its medicinal chemicals. It is now accepted and used widely as an Ayurvedic medicinal herb. Consumption of the leaves are believed to lower blood glucose levels, and diabetics who consumed the leaves of this plant did report a fall in their blood glucose levels.   Costus igneus plant leaves Costus igneus plant flowers Insulin Plant Insulin plant (Costus igneus) is native to Southeast Asia, especially on the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is a relatively new entrant to Kerala and India. The plant is characterized by large fleshy looking leaves. The undersides of these large, smooth, dark green leaves have light purple shade. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about two feet. The flowers are orange in color and are beautiful, 1.5-inch diameter. Flowering occurs during the warm months. And they appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches. The flower petals are quite sweet and nutritious. It's a lower grower and makes a great ground cover. The long red flower spikes of Costus pulverulentus are unique to the family. Costus igneus plant grows very quickly. Propagation of this plant is by stem cutting. It needs sunshine but it also grows in slightly shady areas. Costus does not have a problem with pests and diseases. Outdoor plants might be chewed by caterpillars, and in indoors plants might be affected by red spider mite. Common name Botanical name: - Costus igneus. Costus igneus common name is *Fiery Costus* or *Spiral Flag*, is a species of herbaceous plant in the Costaceae family. Insulin plant (Costus igneus) common name in Hindi is keukand and in Gujarati - pakarmula. In Marathi, Malayalam and Sanskrit is - pushkarmula and in Tamil is kostam Medicinal use In Ayurvedic treatment diabetes patients are advised to chew down the Insulin plants leaves for a month. The patient has to take two leaves per day in the morning and evening for one week. The leaves must be chewed well before swallowing. After one week the patient should take one leaf each in the morning and evening. This dosage should be continued for 30 days. Allopathic doctors too recommend it and it is found to be effective in bringing blood sugar levels under completely under control. There is also dried and ground powder of the leaves now available in the market. In Traditional Medicine it is also used to Promotes longevity, Treats rash, Reduces fever, Treats asthma , Treats bronchitis and to Eliminates intestinal worms. This plant is mentioned in the Kama Sutra as an ingredient in a cosmetic to be used on the eyelashes to increase sexual attractiveness. |
| Research According to International Journal of Ayurveda Research a new study on Insulin plant (Costus igneus) was pblished recently. The leaves of insulin plant (Costus igneus) reduced the fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, bringing them down towards normal, in dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia in rats. Reduction in the fasting and the postprandial blood sugar levels with leaves of insulin plant was comparable with that obtained with Glibenclamide 500 µg/kg at 250 mg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day of powdered leaves of the insulin plant(Costus igneus). References 1. Devi VD, Urooj A (August 2008). "Hypoglycemic potential of Morus indica.. L and Costus igneus./ Nak.—A preliminary study" 2. Arun N, Udhaya A & Rajaguru P (December 2011). "In vitro root induction and studies on antibacterial activity of root 3 extract of Costus igneus on clinically important human pathogens." 3. Babu V, Gangadevi T, Subramonium A. Antidiabetic activity of ethanol extract of Cassia "Kleinii" leaf in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and isolation of an active fraction and toxicity evaluation of the extract. Indian J Pharmacol. 2003 4. Sathyaprakash R, Henry RR. Preventing diabetes by treating aspects ofthe metabolic syndrome. Insulin Plant (Costus igneus) - Video |