WONDER REMEDY FOR DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

INSULIN PLANT

The leaves of a Mexican plant with erect spiraling stems and light, airy and tissue-paper-like flowers are turning the daily munching diet for thousands of diabetes mellitus patients. Nurseries are now promoting this exotic species as the 'insulin plant', a wonder drug that would dynamically bring down blood sugar levels. Diabetics who consumed the leaves of this plant report a fall in their blood glucose levels.

 Costus pictus

 costus igneus

KNOW ABOUT THE PLANT

Common Names   :           Spiral Ginger, Stepladder Plant, Insulin Plant
Botanical Name   :           Costus pictus, costus igneus

Family                      :           Costaceae
Category                  :           Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade

Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow

Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From woody stem cuttings

Physicians say several plant products like fenugreek and bittergourd with proven hypoglycaemic action have been in use for ages, but their medicinal properties, unlike the 'insulin plant', are time-tested. In a medical study it was found that the leaves of insulin plant (Costus igneus) reduced the fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, bringing them down towards normal

Diabetic people eat one leaf daily and help themselves to keep their blood sugar low.