Have you ever heard of insulin plants? This time we will explain about insulin plants, including the benefits of insulin plants for diabetes, and how to consume insulin plants and other things related to this plant. This plant has the scientific name “Costus Igneus” and it has extraordinary benefits because it can control blood sugar for diabetics.
More and more people with diabetes from day to day, this is marked by soaring blood sugar levels. Among the symptoms of diabetes are increased frequency of urination, rapid fatigue, lethargy, and the feeling of wanting to sleep. Diabetics are prohibited from eating or drinking something sweet in excess. Controlling food and drink is very difficult and sufferers often consume excessive sugary foods so that their blood sugar levels spike dramatically and their bodies become weak.
So, we need to control so that blood sugar levels are not excessive. One way is to consume insulin plants. So here we will explain about the insulin plant, its benefits for diabetes and how to consume it to control the blood sugar of diabetics.
Insulin Plant (Cistus Igneus) for Diabetes
Cistus Igneus or insulin plant is a miracle plant and is important for the health of diabetics. This plant is more popular in the community as an insulin plant, but its name is not limited to this. Among other names for the Cistus Igneus plant are; Step ladder, Spiral flag and Fiery costus. This plant has its botanical name, this is Chamaecostus Cuspidatus and this plant belongs to the Costaceae family.
The origin of the Cistus Igneus plant is the United States and Central America. The insulin plant likes to grow in tropical places such as Central America, however, in the southern part of India, insulin plants also grow well and are even very common in various regions of South India.
How does Insulin Plant work on Diabetes?
As we know that the insulin plant is beneficial for diabetes, then how does this medicinal plant work in controlling blood sugar levels. In India, this plant is known as a gift from nature to control sugar levels for those suffering from pancreatic problems. In fact, just consuming one leaf of the insulin plant every day can control your blood sugar.
Why insulin leaves? Diabetes is a disease that occurs due to metabolic disorders of the body, where the body cannot produce insulin in sufficient levels, causing excessive blood sugar levels. One way to control blood sugar is always stable is to consume insulin leaves. Read on until the end of the article!
A study conducted by the NCBI said that eating the right amount of insulin leaves can control blood sugar. But what is interesting to know is that insulin leaves do not contain insulin and do not produce insulin. So, how does it work in lowering blood sugar? Come on, let’s see! But there is a natural element in the insulin plant that converts sugar into glycogen so that it can increase the body’s metabolic processes. This chemical is useful for reducing the level of spikes in blood sugar.
The chemical that converts sugar to glycogen is known as “corosolic acid”. You can only find this chemical in the green leaves of the insulin plant. It reduces fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in the bloodstream. Fortunately again, consuming insulin leaves for diabetes has no side effects at all. So, insulin leaf or Cistus Igneus is an alternative to lower your blood sugar levels.
There are other studies that mention the benefits of insulin leaves for diabetes. The leaves of the Cistus Igneus plant are rich in protein, tocopherol, iron, carotene and antioxidant components. These substances act like the performance of natural insulin for the body, where insulin increases the body’s metabolism so that blood sugar levels can be utilized optimally and in turn there is no excess trapped sugar in the bloodstream. Well, this is how the insulin plant or Cistus Igneus controls blood sugar spikes.
Also see: How to Grow Alfalfa – Tip for Planting, Harvest and Pests
What are the benefits of plant insulin (Costus Igneus)?
The insulin plant with its green leaves is well-known as a natural remedy for type-1 diabetes and type-2 diabetes. There are even many other medicinal properties of the Costus Igneus plant. Among them are anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant.
In the world of Ayurvedic medicine, this plant is known as a very useful medicinal plant. Since a long time the leaves of the insulin plant have been used as blood sugar drugs, those who lived in the past chewed the leaves of this plant well as a diabetes drug. In addition to treating diabetes, the insulin plant is also useful in treating coughs, infections, lung, colds, skin infections, lungs, eyes, uterine contractions, asthma and also overcoming constipation.
How to Consume Insulin Leaf?
How to consume insulin leaves is very easy, you only need to take two insulin leaves and grind them finely, dissolve them in a glass of water and strain, drink regularly twice a day.
There is an easier way to consume insulin leaves, take two insulin plant leaves and chew them directly, but don’t forget to clean them first. Consumption in the morning and evening, once consumption is two pieces, take in the morning and evening. This method is easy but you will feel a bitter taste in your mouth. But before consuming it, note the following.
Things You Should Know Before Consuming an Insulin Plant:
Below are the major factors that you should know before you start taking the leaves of Costus Igneus (insulin plant).
– Before consuming insulin leaves, try consulting a doctor first
– Pregnant and lactating women should avoid insulin plant leaves
– You should not consume too much or more than recommended.
How to Grow Costus Igneus at Home?
For those of you who want to grow insulin plants at home, follow these steps and pay close attention.
Planting insulin plants aims so that we can use insulin leaves for blood sugar medicinal purposes. By planting it yourself, we can easily find it when we need it.
Growing insulin plants is very easy, just like other plants, it does not require extra care. Even this insulin plant is very resistant to pests, so you don’t have to worry.
See too: How to Grow Coffee from Seeds in Pot, and Care It
Let’s take a look at our guide to growing insulin plants or Costus Igneus at home.
Location to plant
The best planting location for insulin plants is in a place that is exposed to the sun evenly. You can also plant it in partial shade. This plant is unique in that it can suck water from the soil or from the air. So, try to plant it near a place where there is water.
Planting
Planting insulin plants should use a good, loose and fertile planting medium. You can mix cocopit and compost, and garden soil. Dig a hole about 2 to 3 inches deep in your pot, placing the plant there, so the hole doesn’t have to be too deep.
Changing of Soil
When the plant is large, you can change the soil or add other soil on top of the pot. You can use loamy, alkaline, acidic, or clay soil or even sand. It can grow well in almost any type of soil.
Winter Care
During winter you have to pay attention to your insulin plants so they don’t die from the effects of the cold. When winter comes, try applying organic mulch to the base of the plant. You can use wood chips, grass, or thick dry leaves. In addition, in winter you have to maintain the moisture level of the soil, do not water too much because it can cause rotting of the roots.
Usually insulin plant flowers will bloom when the temperature is around 25 to 35 C. This plant does like humidity, but don’t water it too much because too humid can also cause insulin plants to die.
