Common Name = Banana
Tropical Name = Musa
Family Name = Musaceae
Parts used = Whole Plant
Hindi name = Kela
Malayalam Name = Vazha Pazham/ Cherupazham
Tamil Name = Vazhaipazham
Bengali Name = Dhakka
All the parts of the Banana tree have healing properties.The banana stem has fiber this is very beneficial for those on a weight-lossprogram. It is also a rich source of potassium and vitamin B6 which helps in the production of insulin and hemoglobin.
Banana stem also maintains fluid balance within the body. It is a diuretic and helps detoxify the body. The popular belief is that eating banana stem is very good for kidney stones.
Medicinal properties of bananas:
1. The high content of iron in bananas increases the production of hemoglobin in the blood -therefore they are very good for anemia.
2. They regulate bowel movement - whether it is constiption or diarrhea. Our elders believed that eating a banana after every meal improved digestion significantly.
3. When you suffer from a hangover - a banana milkshake with honey can give you immense relief. Cold milk soothes the stomach lining and bananas with honey build up depleted blood sugar levels.
4. Bananas are exceedingly good for students as the rich source of potassium can make a person very alert; the fruit is often called a brain tonic.
5. Bananas work well as a snack for people who have high blood pressure as they are wholesome with low salt levels.
6. For those suffering from depression, bananas are good as they contain a protein called serotonin which is also called the (happy hormone) as it makes one feel happy and relaxed.
7. Bananas can be eaten frequently to treat ulcers as they neutralize acidity in the stomach. This soft and smooth fruit cannot irritate the stomach walls.
8. For pregnant women suffering from morning sickness, eating bananas in between meals helps immensely in settling the queasiness in the stomach.
9. Eating bananas helps people give up smoking as this fruit is rich in vitamin C, A, B6 and B12. Bananas contain potassium and magnesium as well.
10. Bananas have an antacid effect, so people who experience heartburn find relief on eating a banana.
11. Potassium is a vital mineral which normalizes heartbeat while regulating the bodys water balance. As banana is a rich source of potassium, it re-balances disturbances of fluids in the body.
12. For weight watchers, banana is an excellent snack in place of crisps and chocolates. Research found that food craving during high pressure work could be assuaged safely and in a healthy manner by eating a banana every 2-3 hourly as it is a high carbohydrate food that controls blood sugar levels.
13. A ripe banana mashed and applied on the face is great at moisturizing and nourishing tired and dry skin.
Banana Plant Leaves:
In India and Asia, banana leaves are used like aluminum foil. They are used to wrap food prior to steaming and grilling.
The leaf makes an excellent platter and food served on these leaves tastes delicious.
The leaves are not eaten but while steaming food some of the polyphenols are imparted to the food.
Red Skinned Bananas:
The peel of this type of bananas is a maroon red color and they are plumper than normal bananas. They are also highly nutritious - the vitamin C content depends on how red the banana is.
The potassium content is high - more or less like the yellow bananas. The flavor of red bananas is unique and they are delicious and rare.
Flower Of Banana Tree
It is sweet and astringent in taste. The properties are unctousness, heavy and cold. It alleviates Vata, Pitta, blood disorders and emaciation.
1. Juice of flowers with curd helps in meno metrorrhagia
2. Flowers are taken as infusion for painful menses.
3. Flowers of Banana and Albizia lebbek (Shirish) mixed with Pippali (long pepper) are pounded with rice water is helpful in Asthma.
Stem Of Banana Tree
1. Juice of stem alleviates Vata disorders and thirst. Juice of stem helps in flushing out kidney stones. Sherbet (syrup) is given in cough. Inner tender stem is eaten as a vegetable.
Leaves Of Banana Tree
Kshara (Alkali) prepared from ash of Banana leaves is mixed with flour and made into paste. Intake of this alleviates stomach disorders. Alkali mixed with turmeric is helpful in skin disorders. Leaves are wrapped on wounds for proper healing.