Sesbania grandiflora vs Costus speciosus

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Sesbania grandiflora

Metabolic

Metabolic

Sesbania grandiflora

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Costus speciosus

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Tropical Asian fast-growing tree; flowers and leaves eaten as vegetable; used for diabetes and eye conditions.

Tropical ornamental with steroidal compounds; leaves used to lower blood sugar in diabetic conditions.

Active Compounds

sesbamine, flavonoids, tannins, minerals, protein

diosgenin, dioscin, gracillin, kaempferol, quercetin

Traditional Uses

diabetes, eye conditions, constipation, fever, anemia, food

diabetes, rheumatism, fever, constipation, bronchitis

Modern Uses

anti-diabetic, eye health, laxative, nutritive food, anti-inflammatory

antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antifungal

Adult Dosage

Flowers and leaves as food; 5-10g leaf tea 2x/day

3-6g leaf powder or dried leaf tea daily

Contraindications

pregnancy (laxative effect), kidney disease

pregnancy, hypoglycemia medications

Side Effects

mild laxative effect, GI upset

hypoglycemia, GI upset

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E