Costus igneus is called the insulin plant as a result of it could assist decrease glucose ranges for some individuals with diabetes. This plant might trigger unwanted effects that embody dizziness and abdomen issues. Whereas C. igneus might assist as a complement for pre-diabetes or kind 2 diabetes, it’s not a alternative for insulin or different diabetes drugs.

Costus igneus is an natural plant from Central and South America that’s extra generally referred to as the insulin plant. Researchers consider it will possibly assist decrease blood sugar ranges in sure individuals with diabetes.
Whereas it could have some anti-diabetic properties that may very well be useful if used as a complement, this floral plant also can result in unwanted effects like dizziness, diarrhea, nausea — even dangerously low blood sugars if it interacts together with your different diabetes drugs.
This text will present extra details about this specific plant and whether or not it may be price contemplating as an possibility for diabetes administration, together with details about potential unwanted effects and the way it can affect glucose ranges.
Importantly, it is best to seek the advice of your physician or healthcare staff earlier than making any selections on utilizing the insulin plant or making any modifications to your present diabetes care plan.

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Costus igneusTrusted Supply, or “insulin plant,” comes from Japanese Brazil. It’s a perennial spreading plant that may attain about 2 toes tall.
Those that use this plant devour it within the following methods:
- chew on the leaves
- devour the advantages of the leaves as a complement in pill kind
- eat the bottom powder constituted of the leaves
- boil the leaves to make a tea
In Southern India and different elements around the globe, individuals with diabetes use the leaves as a dietary complement. Moreover, Costus igneus is an antioxidant that can be utilized to assist the immune system defend towards bacterial infections. It’s additionally a diuretic.
Is there a distinction between Costus pictus and Costus igneus?
There isn’t any quantifiable distinction between Costus pictus and Costus igneus.
The plant is understood by a wide range of names, together with “insulin plant,” “spiral flag,” “painted spiral ginger,” “step ladder,” and “fiery Costus,” amongst others.
The Costus species is extensively discovered all through the world’s tropical zones and is used primarily in Japanese and conventional drugs for its antiseptic and antidiabetic properties.