I’m constantly looking to expand my apothecary, so last Winter when I saw a local Facebook Marketplace seller with insulin plants available for pickup, I had to jump on it.

The insulin plant (Costus igneus) hadn’t been on my wishlist, but once I read about its traditional use as a tea for improving blood sugar naturally (hence the plant’s name), I knew I wanted it in my arsenal. It’s also reportedly anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory & antioxidant.

The plants are beautiful & have been thriving in their deeply shaded location on the farm. Now that I have good-size plants, I’m looking forward to experimenting with cloning the insulin plant via cuttings. I hope to later be a nursery resource for those who would like to grow this promising plant medicine for themselves🤲🏾