Gourav Sabharwal & Kashish Sabharwal
Chamaecostus cuspidatus, common name fiery costus or spiral flag, is a species of herbaceous plant in the family Costaceae native to eastern Brazil. In India, it is known as insulin plant for its purported anti-diabetic properties. India is the most Producing country in the world and Telangana is one of the important Insulin plants producing states, in Hyderabad District in Telangana.
India ranks second after China in the global diabetes epidemic with 77 million people with diabetes. Of these, 12.1 million are aged >65 years, which is estimated to increase to 27.5 million in the year 2045. Costus igneus NE Br is a perennial, upright, tropical evergreen plant belongs to the family Costaceae. Possesses evergreen leaves which are simple, alternate, entire and oblong, having 4-8 inches length with parallel venation. The large, smooth, dark greens leaves possess light purple undersides and are spirally arranged around stems, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. It reaches a height of about 60cm with the tallest stems falling over and lying on the ground. Beautiful orange flowers are produced in the warm months having a 2.5-12.5cm diameter, appears on cone-like heads at the tips of branches. Propagation of insulin plant is by stem cutting.
Medicinal use in Ayurveda: The diabetes patients have to chew down the Insulin plants leaves for a month. That is the patient has to take two leaves per day in the morning and evening for one week. Care should be taken that the leaves must be chewed well before swallowing. Then 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 also recommend this and are found to be effective in bringing blood sugar levels under completely under control. The catchphrase of insulin plant is ‘a leaf a day keeps diabetes away’. Rhizome-The rhizome of insulin plant is considered as a bitter, astringent, acrid, cooling, aphrodisiac, purgative, anthelmintic, depurative, febrifuge, expectorant and useful in burning sensation, constipation, leprosy, worm infection, skin diseases, fever, asthma, bronchitis, inflammations, and anemia2. The insulin plant has been reported with many activities. Among them, some are yet to be validated. The various plant parts are shown such activities are leaf, stem, root, rhizome and whole plant also. Leaves are contributed to prominent hypoglycemic potential. The stem is majorly reported with anti-urolithiatic activity. Both stem and root have been shown significant anti-oxidant activity.
Anti-Diabetic effects: Costus igneus is a traditionally used medicinal plant and a common member of ornamental plants in south Indian Gardens. Leaves are the important part which produces significant anti-diabetic activity. It reduces fasting as well as postprandial blood glucose levels. But the exact mechanism of action behind the anti-diabetic activity is not known yet. Along with the anti-diabetic activity, insulin plant also reduces the diabetic associated complications; bring renal, hepatic parameters to a controlled level, decreases the amount of glycosylated haemoglobin, corrects the lipid profile, increases body weight as well as insulin level and shows marked improvement in the histopathological examination.
How to grow Insulin plant at home:
o An ideal place to keep your plant for it to thrive and to get the best foliage is somewhere that receives good sunlight (3-4 hours) but has partial shade as well.
o Good moisture and soil conditions are also necessary for this plant to flourish.
o The plant does not need to be planted too deep in the soil. 2-3 inches deep seed bed
o hould be fine. Cover the Rhizome in 1 inch deep soil and cover it properly with the soil and firmly press it down with the shovel.
o Try Organic mulching, it can work wonders for this plant.
o The plant should be fertilized & watered after the removal of Mulch.
o The plant is susceptible to mites, caterpillar attack. Insecticidal Soap should be applied to prevent damage to your plant.
o Good Drainage conditions are necessary to keep the plant healthy. You can add Organic Compost or Peat Moss to soil for better Drainage.
o .It grows well in well-drained soil with a pH in the range of 6.5 – 7.5, tolerating 5.5 – 8. Add coconut coir and Pine bark to make the soil more drainage friendly.
o Water Insulin plant regularly during the growing season and always keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between each watering. During the winter months, reduce watering.
o Use an all purpose fertilizer. Do not fertilize Insulin plant during the winters
o It will flower more prolifically in a sunny spot but in such a position the leaves tend to become rather yellow and they wilt in hot weather.