Banana: Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits

Cultivated banana is botanically known as Musa paradisiaca. The ancient Chinese and Vedic writings include details of healing properties of Banana consumed either as a vegetable or as a fruit.

Medicinal properties of Banana:

• The fruit has a mild laxative property
• It is used as a remedy of constipation in children
• It is believed to be helpful in curing diarrhoea and dysentery
• The fruit is used to heal the intestine lesions
• It forms the part of diets of children suffering from malnutrition
• The core of the stem is believed to be useful in stomach upset and diabetes
• The extract of core of the stem is considered to be useful in dissolving the stones in the kidney and urinary bladder and reducing the weight. The inflorescence mixed with coconut oil and spices is used for flushing the urinary blocks
• The fruit is believed to reduce the worm problems in the kids

Nutritional properties:

• Hundred grams of ripe Banana provides approx. 116 Kcal energy that makes it a supplementary staple food.
• Banana has relatively less proteins compared to cereals, absence of other protein rich foods in the diet can cause protein deficiency in people depending mostly on Banana as staple food
• Cooked or ripe Banana are easily digested
• Banana is a fair source of Vitamin B and Calcium
• Banana contains about 20% sugar.