Insulin Plant (Chamaecostus cuspidatus)

The insulin plant is botanically known as Chamaecostus cuspidatus or Costus igneus from the Costaceae family. It is also known as Fiery Costus or Spiral Flag Insulin plant is a medicinal plant and capable of having Magic Cure for Diabetes. This is a recent introduction to India from America as an herbal cure for diabetes and hence commonly called as ‘insulin plant. It is an easily grown medicinal plant and is best for planting throughout the year. It is widely grown in gardens as an ornamental plant in Indian Garden and also grows wildly in many places. It has large fleshy-looking leaves. The leaves are spirally arranged around the stem, forming attractive, arching clumps arising from underground rootstocks. The maximum height of these plants is about 2-3 feet. It also flowers during the warm months. And they appear to be cone-like heads at the tips of branches. It is used in India to control diabetes, and it is known that diabetic people eat one leaf daily to keep their blood glucose low. Leaves of C. igneus were one among the plants known to be effectively used for treating diabetes by the tribal people of Kolli hills of Namakkal district, Tamilnadu. In Mexican folk medicine, the aerial part of C. pictus D. Don is used as an infusion in the treatment of renal disorders.
Medicinal Character
• The Insulin plant is one such traditional plant that is getting global acceptance nowadays and is now widely used as an ayurvedic medicinal herb. 
• Consumption of the leaves is believed to lower blood glucose levels, and diabetics who consumed the leaves of this plant are said to have a fall in their blood glucose levels.
• The leaves of the Insulin Plant contain corosolic acid which helps to generate insulin thereby treating diabetes.
• It has been proven to be antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-cancerous.
• In Siddha medicine, used for diabetes; leaves are chewed twice daily, or dried leaf powder is taken 1/2 to 1 gram twice daily.
• it is also helpful for patients with hypertension, asthma, and kidney and liver problem.
Care Tips
• You can grow it directly in the medium to large size pot or directly in the ground.
• It prefers to grow in humid areas and low sunlight areas wherever morning or evening sunlight is available.
The plant can be propagated by division of clumps stem cuttings or by separating the offsets or plantlets that grows below the blossom heads. For propagation, the rhizomes should be divided well with a sharp knife.

Scientific Classification Of Insulin Plant 

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingibarales
Family: Costaceae
Genus: Chamaecostus
Species: C. cuspidatus