Health Benefits of Costus Igneus, Good News for Diabetes Patients....

Health Benefits of Costus Igneus

More commonly known as Fiery Costus or Spiral Flag, Costus igneus had been dubbed as the “Insulin plant”, because it was believed to help the body in producing insulin and had since become a popular medicinal herb. In the Philippines, it is known as tabungaw.

• This plant is indigenous to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. While the plant has become increasingly popular for its promising effect for diabetes, it is largely used as a cure for dysentery in the Philippines. It is also planted for ornamental reasons because the flower is rather beautifully attractive.
• The Costus igneus has a lot of medicinal uses especially in India. It is used as a component of Ayurvedic treatment for curing diabetes. Patients chew the plants leaves to extract its juice and swallow it. The rhizomes of the plant can lower the plasma glucose primarily because of the potentiation of insulin from B-cells, which also helps in managing and preventing diabetic complications.
• In the Siddha medical system, the plant is use for the treatment of various ailments including intestinal worms, rash, asthma, fever and bronchitis. Other medicinal uses of the plant included Antihyperglycemic / Hypolipidemic / Antioxidant, Diosgenin, Spasmodic Activity / Ecbolic, Hepatoprotective Activity, Aliphatic Compounds, Anti-Stress / Neurotransmitter Effects, Eremanthin / Anti-Diabetic / Hypolipidemic, Anticholinesterase, Anti-Inflammatory / Antipyretic, Uterine Stimulant, Antimicrobial, Comparative Antihyperglycemic Effects of Extracts, Effect on Female Reproductive / Estrogenic Effect, and Antinociceptive.

In spite of the different medicinal uses of the Fiery Costus, Spiral Flag, Costus igneus or tabubungiaw, it is important to consult a herbal specialist or a doctor before using the plant to treat your ailments. One may experience possible allergic reactions when using the plant.

How to use 

The leaves of this medicinal plant is used in the management of Diabetes.
The dried powder of leaves of this plant is taken in the dose of 1/2 to 1 gram twice a day in diabetes.

The fresh leaves of this plant is chewed two times daily for 1 week after 1 week, 1 leaf should be chewed twice a day this dosage should be continued for 1 month. It is said that this treatment is effective in bringing blood sugar levels under control in diabetes patients.