FOUR-O-CLOCK FLOWERS

The name of this plant explains what time of the day to expect blooms to appear. They are prolific bloomers, and they emit a fragrance in the evening that will last all night. This plant has a root much like a carrot. Once it secures the root system, this plant will begin to spread on its own. It is a hardy plant that will grow in any soil condition be it dry in summer, or soaking wet during the rainy months.

Each flower will produce a seed that looks like a black peppercorn. Gather these and store to give to friends or grow some of these Four O'Clocks in different areas of your garden. Once it sets in, the plant will dominate your garden.

Butterflies love this plant and are not toxic unless eaten by mistake, or chewed on by young pets. Every part of the Four O' Clock is poisonous since they are a member of the nightshade family. This may cause vomitting , skin irritation, nausea, so do not plant it near the house, or playground areas where children could pick them by mistake.

THE INSULIN PLANT

Some time ago, a friend of mine introduced me to her sister who had this insulin plant in her 

backyard.  She told me how eating the leaves dsily  of this plant lowered her blood sugar.

I found it interesting because it seemed here in Asia, there are herbal cures for almost

all illnesses.   She gave me a cutting and I went home right away to find a nice semi-shaded

place for it in my garden.

The Insulin plant is clasified as  a Costus.  The scientific name is, Costus Igneus. 

This plant originated in India, and is used as an Ayuvedic  medicinal  cure for the 

common illnesses like colds, and flue,  diabetes, high cholesterol and fatty liver.  The leaves 

reduce inflammation, and promotes smooth airflow in the lungs, relieving muccus in patients 

with bronchitis, and Asthma. 

The leaves can be crushed and drank as tea, or eaten in a salad. The effect is to reduce

stress and damage to healthy cells, and is good for cancer patients undergoing chemo-

therapy. 

HOW TO PREPARE THIS COSTUS PLANT FOR LOWERING BLOOD SUGAR:

Crush dried leaves of the plant to make a powder. Have half a tsp of this powder twice

a day. 

You can also chew one fresh leaf, twice a day.

Tea can be made by boiling  2 cups of water, and dropping one leaf in the hot water. Let it 

seep in for about 10 minutes, then drink a cup of the tea, twice a day.

Flowers of the Costus Igneus plant:

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Various phyto chemical investigations reveal the presence of carbohydrates, terpenoids, proteins, alkaloids, tannins and amounts of trace elements along with flavonoids. 

Medicinal Uses 

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C.cuspidatus is known as Insulin plant. As it is having the virtue of the promoting insulin by human body. 

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Aqueous extract of this plant would prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones by the inhibitory effect on plant growth of calcium oxalate. 

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The dry leaves of this plant show significant control over blood sugar level in laboratory rats. 

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This plant is used for the reduction of post prandial blood sugar levels during fasting. 

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It is now accepted and widely used as an Ayurvedic medicinal herb. 

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It is possible to consume the leaves by drying and grinding the powder of the leaves. 

Pharmacological Activities [4] 

This plant has been proven to posses various pharmacological activities on diuretics, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti cancerous