Insulin Plant
Does hearing the word ‘Diabetes’ trigger frantic alarms of panic? It doesn’t, right? The disease is so prevalent in India that it has become commonplace. We all know someone who is diabetic. But despite the prevalence of it, what we need to understand is that diabetes is a serious health problem. According to WHO (World Health Organization), by 2030, Diabetes Mellitus will be the seventh leading cause of death. It is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower limb amputation.
Costus igneus (or insulin plant) is a traditionally used medicinal herb which is native to Southeast Asia. The plant has been recently introduced into India and it is grown as an ornamental plant in south India.
he leaves of the Insulin Plant can be used as a dietary supplement in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. Research has revealed that consumption of these leaves help build up insulin in the human body and lower blood glucose levels. A catchphrase pertaining to the Insulin plant leaves goes, “A leaf a day keeps diabetes away.”
What The Scientists Tell Us
Various Scientific studies have confirmed the anti-diabetic property of the insulin plant leaves.The leaves contain corosolic acid. This component, when consumed, enhances the secretion of insulin from the pancreas which in turn reduces blood glucose levels.
Other Magical Benefits
Apart from its anti-diabetic properties, the insulin plant has proven to have various other beneficial effects like :
Hypolipidemic Activity
The insulin plant reduces the level of lipids and lipoproteins in the blood. High levels of specific lipoproteins have been associated with an elevated risk of certain forms of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Diuretic Activity
This activity helps your kidneys get rid of extra water and salt from your body through your urine. This reduces the pressure inside your blood vessels and thus controls blood pressure.
Antioxidant
Oxidative stress plays a major part in the development of diabetes. The antioxidants are used to treat and reduce the complications of diabetes mellitus.
Antimicrobial
Insulin Plant is also an antimicrobial and is therefore effective against bacterial infections.
Nutrient Rich
Further, various phytochemical investigations reveal the presence of carbohydrates, triterpenoids, proteins, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroid, and appreciable amounts of trace elements.
How To Consume The Plant
1) The leaf can be consumed twice a day.
2) Consume one leaf on empty stomach, around 30 minutes before breakfast and another leaf, a couple of hours before dinner.
3) The leaf should not be consumed by lactating or pregnant women. 4) Please do not stop your regular medications and monitor your sugar levels frequently.
How To Care For The Plant
1) The plant requires around two hours of proper sunlight everyday. 2) Use your fingers to check if the soil is moist. If not, water it. 3) Manure is not required in the first month of planting. From the second
month, add two teaspoons of Naturley vermicompost once every week. 4) It is recommended to have two plants at home so that there is a continuous supply of the medicinal leaves.
Why Naturley?
Naturley grows all its produce organically. Organically grown crops have the following benefits over the conventionally grown ones :
– Organic food has more of the antioxidant compounds linked to better health than regular food.
– Studies have shown much lower levels of toxic metals like cadmium in organic plants as compared to plants grown using usual ways. – Compared with produce grown using usual (conventional) methods, organically grown produce has lower levels of pesticide residue.
So, in conclusion, insulin plant leaves can act as an effective dietary supplement for the treatment of diabetes and can work wonders on your overall health.