Mexican Tournesol
(Tithonia Diversifolia (Hemsl.) A.Gray)
Mexican Tournesol
(Tithonia Diversifolia (Hemsl.) A.Gray)
The Insulin plant originates from Mexico. Countries like India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Italy, and Bangladesh have utilized extracts of the insulin leaf as a conventional treatment for Diabetes Mellitus. It is often grown by communities as an ornamental plant and a hedge.
It commonly grows wild in steep areas, cliffs, and riverbanks. The Insulin plant grows easily in places at an altitude of 5–1,500 m a.s.l., with an annual temperature of 15–31ºC and rainfall between 1,000–2,000 mm/year. It prefers bright locations or direct sunlight exposure.
Root: Taproot with a moderately deep root system.
Stem: Round, woody, and green.
Leaves: Simple, arranged alternately on the stem. 26–32 cm long, 15–25 cm wide. The tips and bases are pointed (acuminate/acute), with pinnate venation, and are green.
Flowers: Compound (inflorescence), located at the twig tips. The stalk is round, the calyx is tube-shaped with fine hairs, the corolla (petals) is green, and the stamens and pistil are yellow, resembling a sunflower.
Fruit: Round, green when young.
Generative propagation is done by seed, while vegetative propagation uses roots, stem cuttings, or shoots, or new shoots that grow after pruning. Propagation by cuttings is easier than by seed.
It is used to treat Diabetes Mellitus, stabilize blood pressure, antimalaria, liver issues, sore throat, is anticancer, controls cholesterol, and aids in weight loss.
Phenol, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, alkaloids, sesquiterpenoid lactones (caryophyllene, copaene, bicyclogermacrene, juniper camphor), saponins, tannins, tagitinin C, thirotundin, polyphenols, caffeic acid, and ascorbic acid.
Diabetes Treatment
Preparation: Take 15 sheets of dry or fresh Insulin leaves. Wash them thoroughly, then boil with 5 glasses of water (1 liter) until only 3 glasses remain. Strain the liquid and let it cool.
Dosage: Drink the insulin leaf concoction 2–3 times a day, 1 glass each time, regularly.
Socfindo Conservation. 2023. Daun Insulin. https://www.socfindoconservation.co.id/plant/178 (15-05-2023)