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Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana

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Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana ISSN 2278- 4136 ZDB-Number: 2668735-5 IC Journal No: 8192 Volume 1 Issue 3 Online Available at www.phytojournal.com Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Traditional and Medicinal Uses of Banana K. P. Sampath Kumar1*, Debjit Bhowmik2, S. Duraivel3, M. Umadevi4 1. Department of pharmaceutical sciences, Coimbatore medical college, Coimbatore, India. 2. Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. [E-mail: [email protected]] 3. Nimra College of Pharmacy, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. 4. Centre for Plant breading and Genetics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants. All parts of the banana plant have medicinal applications: the flowers in bronchitis and dysentery and on ulcers; cooked flowers are given to diabetics; the astringent plant sap in cases of hysteria, epilepsy, leprosy, fevers, hemorrhages, acute dysentery and diarrhea, and it is applied on hemorrhoids, insect and other stings and bites; young leaves are placed as poultices on burns and other skin afflictions; the astringent ashes of the unripe peel and of the leaves are taken in dysentery and diarrhea and used for treating malignant ulcers; the roots are administered in digestive disorders, dysentery and other ailments; banana seed mucilage is given in cases of diarrhea in India. Antifungal and antibiotic principles are found in the peel and pulp of fully ripe bananas. The antibiotic acts against Mycobacteria. A fungicide in the peel and pulp of green fruits is active against a fungus disease of tomato plants. Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin are also present in the ripe peel and pulp. The first two elevate blood pressure; serotonin inhibits gastric secretion and stimulates the smooth muscle of the intestines. Keyword: Musa paradisiaca, Medicinal Applications, Beneficial Effects, Immunity Booster 1. Introduction burns and wounds. For immediate pain relief, Fruits and vegetables are an important component beat a ripe banana into a paste and spread it over of a healthy diet. Some fruits like bananas offer a burn or wound. For best results, cover the area great medical benefits. This is partly because with a cloth bandage. Even banana leaves can be bananas aid in the body's retention of calcium, used as a cool compress for burns or nitrogen, and phosphorus, all of which work to wounds. Other medical benefits of bananas build healthy and regenerated tissues. In the include aiding in constipation and diarrhea relief, following paragraphs, we will discuss some of treatment of arthritis, treatment of anemia these benefits. Bananas can be used to fight intestinal disorders like ulcers. Bananas are one 1.1 Nutritional Value of Banana of the few fruits that ulcer patients can safely Bananas are an excellent source of potassium. consume. Bananas neutralize the acidity of Potassium can be found in a variety of fruits, gastric juices, thereby reducing ulcer irritation by vegetables, and even meats, however, a single coating the lining of the stomach. Not only can banana provides you with 23% of the potassium bananas relieve painful ulcer systems, and other that you need on a daily basis. Potassium benefits intestinal disorders, they can also promote the muscles as it helps maintain their proper healing. The fruit is also used as treatment for working and prevents muscle spasms. In addition, Vol. 1 No. 3 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 51 K. P. Sampath Kumar recent studies are showing that potassium can 1.2 Medicinal Properties of Banana help to decrease blood pressure in individuals who are potassium deficient. Potassium also Beneficial effects reduces the risk of stroke. The fruit has a mild laxative property Bananas are also an excellent source of vitamins, It is used as a remedy of constipation in including: children 1. A - aids in healthy teeth, bones, soft It is believed to be helpful in curing diarrhea tissue, and more and dysentery 2. B6 - aids the body's immune system, The fruit is used to heal the intestine lesions promotes brain health, heart health, and more It forms the part of diets of children 3. C - aids in healing, growth of tissue, suffering from malnutrition ligaments, and more The core of the stem is believed to be useful 4. D - helps the body to absorb calcium in stomach upset and diabetes The extract of core of the stem is considered As you can see by the vitamins present, bananas to be useful in dissolving the stones in the aid in keeping the body healthy in a number of kidney and urinary bladder and reducing the ways, but there is a major benefit to the bones weight. The inflorescence mixed with and muscles in the human body. coconut oil and spices is used for flushing Because bananas contain 41% of what you need the urinary blocks each day in vitamin B6, you will find that eating The fruit is believed to reduce the worm bananas helps to increase your focus and mental problems in the kids acuity. In addition, bananas aid in vitality, which means that you will have more energy both Adverse effects mentally and physically. In fact, some studies High carbohydrate presence combined with show that bananas can help improve your mood tryptophan content in this fruit is feared to whether you have the blues or are suffering from affect user's state of awareness influencing PMS. brain activity and bringing sleepiness. Bananas are also an excellent food for people who want to lose weight. Although they are Migraine headaches may be aggravated by rather high in calories (200 per banana) and carbs consumption of bananas and alcohol. Hence, (51 gm), they are a great source of energy. A consumption of bananas is not advisable banana eaten before a workout can provide you with alcohol. with the necessary energy to complete a longer Consumption of bananas may have allergic workout. reactions in few people. Bananas provide you with many health benefits, Nutritional properties: but in addition to all of that, most people enjoy Hundred grams of ripe Banana provides eating bananas as well. The can be eaten alone or approx. 116 KCal energy that makes it a combined with a fruit salad, added to jello, or supplementary staple food. made into a smoothie or a milkshake. They are one of the most affordable fruits in the Banana has relatively less proteins compared marketplace and can be found year round nearly to cereals, absence of other protein rich everywhere in the world! foods in the diet can cause protein deficiency in people depending mostly on Banana as staple food Vol. 1 No. 3 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 52 K. P. Sampath Kumar Cooked or ripe Banana are easily digested reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. According to the FDA, “Diets containing foods Banana is a fair source of Vitamin B and Calcium that are good sources of potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood Banana contains about 20% sugar. pressure and stroke.” Plus, potassium helps your body maintain normal fluid and electrolyte 1.3 Medicinal Qualities balances in the cells. Bananas are a highly nutritious fruit, but do they Scientists report that natural compounds in have any medicinal properties beyond their bananas act in a manner similar to anti- nutritive value. While it may come as a surprise hypertensive drugs. The team studied six popular to those of us accustomed to using bananas for banana varieties and found that all had ACE- baking and banana splits and little else, Perdue inhibiting properties, though the ripened bananas University boldly states that every part of the had a stronger action than unripe ones. banana plant has medicinal properties. Among Researchers have reported that blood pressure fell the properties cited: by 10% in people who ate two bananas daily for a week. Flowers: Used to treat dysentery, 1.5 Reduced Risk of Stroke ulcers, and bronchitis. Cooked, flowers Scientists suggest that people with a low amount are considered a good food for of potassium in their diet may have an increased diabetics. risk of stroke. A study of 5,600 people aged over Sap: Chemically, banana sap has 65 found that those with the lowest intake of the astringent qualities. In traditional potassium were 50% more likely to suffer a medicine, the sap is used to treat a wide stroke. High-potassium foods, like bananas, may variety of ailments, including leprosy, lower the risk of stroke, but researchers say that hysteria, fever, digestive disorders, more studies are needed to confirm whether hemorrhage, epilepsy, hemorrhoids, increasing potassium in the diet can prevent and insect bites. strokes. Roots and Seeds: Treat digestive 1.6 Restore normal bowel Activity disorders Because the banana is rich in nondigestible fibers Peel and Pulp: Scientifically shown to (including cellulose, hemicellulose, and alpha- have both antifungal and antibiotic glucans) it can help restore normal bowel activity components. These structures have also and help with both constipation and diarrhea. been identified as containing the Bananas normalize the colon’s function to absorb neurotransmitters norepinephrine, large amounts of water for regular bowel serotonin and dopamine. movements. Their usefulness is due to their 1.4 Medicinal Importance richness in pectin, which is water-absorbent and Reduced risk of high blood pressure this gives them a bulk producing ability. Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium, Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood fructooligosaccharide, a compound called a pressure and heart function. A medium-sized prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic (friendly) banana provides 350 mg of potassium. The bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria effectiveness of potassium-rich foods in lowering produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that blood pressure has been demonstrated by a improve our ability to absorb nutrients, plus number of studies.
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