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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Health benefits of Banaba Plant we must know


Banaba
Lagerstroemia speciosa is the scientific name of Banaba, which is a tropical flowery tree that grows in warm climate like the Philippines, India and others. It grows to a height as high as twenty meters. Its leaves are huge, and ranges from the shape of elliptical-ovate to rectangular. These leaves are shed by the plant in the coursework of the first months of the year, and are bright orange or red in the coursework of these times.

Various research on Banaba conducted in Japan show true the belief that this plant contains high levels of corosilic acid, a substance known as of the lots of treatments for diabetes mellitus. Besides its medicinal value, banaba is also cultivated and known for its pretty flowers.

Banaba is widely used in the Philippines as herbal medicine for diabetes for hundreds of years. It is now gaining popularity and getting recognition as a herbal medicine not only in the Philippines but worldwide. Banaba is often known as Queen’s Flower, Crepe Myrtle and the Pride of India. In India, Banaba has also been used to cure diabetes in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time.


Studies conducted shows that it has active ingredient, known as corosolic acid and is a potent compound that has insulin like effect to lower glucose in the body and is effective in treating diabetes. For a quick time Banaba is becoming known as natural plant insulin, and what makes it great is that, the herbal preparation is very simple and can even be taken orally, without any risk of adverse side effects.


Some studies that were focused on this plant resulted to the discovery of other potential medicinal benefits. These include antibacterial functions of seed extracts from this plant, as well as a water extract of the same manifest anti-oxidative functions. Another is the significant protection that Banaba seems to exhibit to treat HIV-infected cells. This is brought about by its ellagic acid constituents.


Aside from the medicinal value of Banaba, as a herbal medicine, it is also nice for the health. Banaba contains high concentrations of dietary fiber and minerals such as zinc and magnesium. The leaves can be boiled and taken every day as tea.

However, caution is advised against taking Banaba with any diabetic drug or any other drug simultaneously. Always consult with a qualified physician or a medical practitioner before taking any medication or any herbal medicine for an correct dose. Also, additional precaution is highly recommended as preliminary findings show that Banaba extract may delay and reduce the absorption of carbohydrates in the body and promote weight loss, despite its useful medicinal value.

The coming of health products from banaba makes Banaba popular in the Philippines, capsules and tablets of Banaba can be purchase in herbal stores as well as Banaba herbal tea.

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