translated from Spanish: Dalia, symbol of Mexican floriculture, combat diabetes

declared in 1963 by then President Adolfo López Mateos as a symbol of the national flower, dahlia is the emblematic flower of Mexico. However, few people know of its uses in traditional medicine to fight diseases such as diabetes. For more than 10 years, at the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACH) working with a program of collection, characterization and conservation of dahlias that among his research interests includes the utilization of its tuberous roots, Ray florets and petals as medicine and food. 
Professor and researcher at the UACH Jose Merced explained to Efe that one of the most outstanding characteristics of this plant lies in its stem with large spaces that makes the flower have a life unlimited post-harvest. It also highlights the formation of tubers or sweet potatoes, which are on the ground reserve organs which accumulate large quantities of substances that help the plant to survive. 
It is a plant of Mexican origin that lies in all the national territory, with the exception of its peninsulas. Currently there are 43 wildlife species in the country. It can be grown in all climates, but the ideal is the mild and sunny, that it does not require greenhouses to grow regarding the structure of inulin which is located in the tubers of the plant, Merced explains that it is similar to the starch and that When it is consumed by the human body, it is not digested, therefore do not have the enzymes necessary for degradation and therefore they do not rise glucose levels in the blood. “We have closely studied more than ten different species to see which one provides the best benefits for medical use. These include the dahlia coccinea and dahlia campanulata. The latter stands out because its sweet potatoes contain 80% inulin”, are required. 
Dahlia flower.
Also, adds that the dahlia also contains some minerals such as phosphorous, magnesium and calcium that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. In addition to benzoic acid, which is a natural antibiotic. The UACH produces annually more than 100,000 plants distributed to all States of the country with the aim that the low-income rural population suffering diabetes, obesity and hypertension are grab the benefits which has the plant, either as ornamental medicine or food. “We are prepared to develop technological packages of plants that we have selected within the University to reproduce high rates of inulin, but with a social focus. We don’t want any company or laboratory is adueñe of this ancient resource and then the communities have to pay for this”, has the researcher. María Guadalupe Treviño, President of the Mexican Association of dahlia or Acocoxochitl, indicates told Efe that, according to written and what is known by oral tradition, dalia has been major source of calories and water shortages in the field conditions. At its roots, he says, they have a carbohydrate concentration greater than 70%, a contribution of proteins that reaches 12%, and crude fiber of up to 17%. As regards to the root of the plant, this can be eaten in plenty of dishes. “It is known that when she was taken to Europe its initial use was that of food, similar to the potato. This background have allowed us to push forward the proposal of revaluate the dahlia as one of the most remarkable of our country, mainly for its ornamental beauty”, it indicates. By Sergio Martínez Chavarría, delegate of the Secretariat of agriculture, livestock, Rural Development, fishing and food (Sagarpa) in the city of Mexico, says EfE that, given the properties of this plant, are plans to propose to the dahlia as the flower symbol of the Mexican capital. “The project will be sent to the new Assembly Legislative of the city of Mexico, so that the people of the city of Mexico, which is that most suffers diabetes and obesity, know their properties; It is a way to prevent and help public health”, it ends. In this note: Mexican flower dahlia flower

Original source in Spanish