Table of contents:
- The potential benefits of insulin leaves for lowering blood sugar
- Other properties of the insulin plant for body health
- 1. Lowering high blood pressure
- 2. Contains antioxidants
- 3. Antimicrobial properties
- Another way to lower blood sugar for diabetic people
Not a few people with diabetes (diabetics) are looking for alternative natural remedies. One of the most popular is insulin leaf, aka a plant with a Latin name Costus igneus. This plant is called insulin leaf because it is believed to have the same function as insulin injections, which is to control blood sugar levels. However, is it true that this insulin plant provides benefits for diabetes patients? Find out the answer in the following review.
The potential benefits of insulin leaves for lowering blood sugar
Consuming many insulin leaves is believed to reduce high blood sugar levels. This statement is reinforced by a study from Kasturba Medical College which specifically examined the benefits of insulin leaves on blood sugar levels for diabetics in India. The study also compared the effectiveness of this insulin plant with the efficacy of diabetes drugs.
Researchers concluded the benefits of insulin leaves after drying the leaves during September and October. After drying, these leaves are finely ground until they become powder. The insulin plant powder is then divided into several doses and dissolved in water.
The water solution from the insulin leaves is then given to male mice. The day before, the mice had already been given medicine glibenclamide.
During this study, the mice were deliberately not fed with the aim of reducing their blood sugar levels. The result, blood sugar levels 2 hours post-prandial (first blood 2 hours after eating) rats after being given the insulin plant water drink decreased. This reduction is equivalent to the rate of drop in blood sugar levels 2 hours after eating with treatment with glibenclamide.
Still from India, another study published by International Journal of Ayurveda Research also found something similar.
Researchers reported that insulin leaves were able to reduce fasting blood sugar levels (GDP) and GD2PP levels (2 hours after eating) to normal levels in lab rats who had hyperglycemia or after being triggered by the drug dexamethasone.
Although several studies have been conducted, it is not clear what or how this insulin plant mechanism can reduce high blood sugar.
Other properties of the insulin plant for body health
The benefits of insulin leaves for diabetes so far have not been fully proven by medical research. However, a number of studies have reported plant insulin also has other potential benefits, including:
1. Lowering high blood pressure
According to a study in the journal Pharmacognosy Reviews, the blood pressure lowering effect of insulin leaves derived from its diuretic effect which acts similarly to the drug furosemide. Furosemide is a diuretic drug, one of which is used to treat high blood pressure.
This study compared the effects of insulin leaf doses of 100 and 200 mg per kilogram of body weight with furosemide per 4 mg / kg. The results showed that the insulin plant had the same effect on reducing potassium and sodium levels as the effect of the drug furosemide.
What needs to be understood, the deposition of too much sodium and potassium in the blood is indeed associated with an increase in blood pressure over time.
2. Contains antioxidants
Insulin leaves are reported to contain two antioxidant compounds called quercetin and diosgenin which are useful for fighting the effects of free radicals on the liver, pancreas and kidneys of diabetic rats.
Another study found that the antioxidant activity in insulin plants was classified as very high, which was around 89.5% and 90 percent.
3. Antimicrobial properties
The methanol extract from the insulin plant shows antibacterial activity which works against the development of certain bacteria.
Some of the potent bacteria are stopped their activity by insulin leaves include Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus leuteus, Staphylococcusn aureus, Streptococcus lactis, salmonella and bacteriaPseudomonomone aeruginosanegative.
This leaf ethanol extract was also found to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacteria E. coli and Candida albicans.
Another way to lower blood sugar for diabetic people
Just like herbs and other herbal medicines, using insulin leaves must be under the supervision of a doctor. So, first consult with your doctor if you want to try using insulin plants to manage diabetes. You also can not use insulin plants as a substitute for the main treatment.
Not all plants or herbal medicines will have a uniform effect on every diabetic patient. Jamu and herbal medicines also do not have the correct dosage standard.
Incorrect dosage or how to use herbal medicines may actually risk worsening your condition, and potentially causing diabetes complications. This puts the use of the insulin plant as a diabetes treatment at risk.
Here are alternative ways that are also effective to help lower blood sugar and treat diabetes symptoms, apart from using insulin leaves:
- Insulin injections: insulin leaves alone are not enough, diabetics may need additional artificial insulin hormone from the injection to control their blood sugar.
- Drink a lot of water: diabetes will make you often thirsty. Adequate fluid intake can neutralize excess sugar in the blood to be excreted with urine.
- Exercise regularly: being active is a great way to control blood sugar levels and help with heart function. Choose the type of exercise that is safe for diabetes.
- Limit eating sugar: foods high in sugar are the main cause of diabetes. If you want to use a sweetener, try alternative sweeteners that are healthier and safer for diabetes.
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