Banaba is a species of crepe myrtle tree that is native to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. People use leaves to make medicine. Banaba is a flowering plant that grows in warm climates like the Philippines and India. Banaba is widely used in the Philippines and other Asian countries in traditional medicine as an herbal treatment for insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes. In India, Banaba is also used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes.
Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia speciosa L Munchausia speciosa Linn. Lagestroemia reginae Roxb
Other names:
Agaro, Mitla, Bugarom, Nabulong, Pamalauagon, Duguam, Pamarauagon, Kauilan, Parasabukung, Makablos, Tabangau, TauagnauBanaba Extract, Banabalean, Corosolic acid, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle, Extrait de Banaba, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Munchausia speciosa, Myrte de Crêpe, Pride-of-India, Pyinma, Queen’s Crape Myrtle.
The Banaba leaves and flowers contain cytosolic acid, a substance being studied for its insulin-like effect of lowering the glucose in the body. Banaba is also being studied as a weight-loss supplement for its ability to delay or reduce the absorption of carbohydrates. Banaba is also rich in vitamins and minerals including zinc and magnesium. Banaba is also rich in dietary fibers.
Banaba is a tropical flowering tree that grows up to 10 meters high. Banaba has large green oblong leaves that is about 3 inches in width and 7 inches in length. The flowers or Banaba are racemes and colored pink to lavender. Banaba bears nut-like fruits that are arranged in large clumps.
Banaba Traditional Medicinal Uses and Health benefits
Banaba has a long history of medical usage and has a long list of folkloric health benefits for the following conditions.
- constipation,
- infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation of kidneys,
- pain or burning during urination. সহজ বাংলা: প্রস্রাবে জ্বালা/ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="dysuria" data-rx-definition="Dysuria means pain or burning during urination. সহজ বাংলা: প্রস্রাবে জ্বালা/ব্যথা।">dysuria and other urinary dysfunctions
- blood pressure control ,
- kidney disorders,
- urinary dysfunctions (helps ease urination) ,
- controls the cholesterol levels,
- treatment of diarrhea,
- facilitates bowel movement
- treatment of fevers and others.
How to Get and How to Use Banaba
Where can I get or buy Banaba?
Banaba plant is widely cultivated and can be sourced through local horticulturist. Banaba leaves, flowers and seeds can be harvested from fields.
Banaba Herbal Capsules.
Banaba in capsule form is easier to partake avoiding the hassles of preparing the banaba tea. A lot are now being sold in the market, but it is best that you buy from a reputable company that produces high quality Banaba capsules.
A favorably reveiwed product is Paradise Herb Banaba leaf capsule. It has Full Spectrum 12:1 potent concentration naturally extracted without the use of toxic solvents, harsh chemicals or gases. The process ensure all the active and synergistic constituents are present in the balanced ratio as nature intended. This Banaba Capsule is available in Amazon along with other Banaba extract
How To Use Banaba Herb For insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">Diabetes?
The following details the preparation and application of Banaba herbal medicine for insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes
- Dry Banaba leaves and fruits for about two weeks
- Cut Banaba leaves into peices
- Boil the dried Banaba leaves and fruits in water,
- One cup of dried banaba leaves and fruits to one cup water.
- Let it steep for 30 minutes,
- tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">Strain the leaves and fruits.
- Take the Banaba herbal tea for 4 to 6 times daily.
Although studies have shown that Banaba does not contain any toxic ingredients. It is recommended that before taking any herbal medicine for your insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes, consult with your doctor.
Banaba Herbal Tea For Weight Loss Management
Banaba herbal tea is also used for sustained weight-loss management. The corosolic acid in Banaba leaves and flowers acts by delaying and reducing the absorption of carbohydrates by the body. Continued drinking of banaba tea causes weight loss without any side effects.
In a group study that has been conducted for Glucosol™-a US patent drug containing corosolic acid. There was a reduction of weight for diabetic subjects. Similar study was done for non-diabetics and it was found that corosolic acid does not alter either the absorption or clearance of blood sugar in non-diabetic subjects, while retaining its weight-loss effect (Corosolic acid formulation and its application for weight-loss management and blood sugar balance. US Patent Issued on August 31, 2004 ).
How To Use Banaba Herb For Weight Loss?
Preparation and application of Banaba herbal tea for weight loss management
- Dry Banaba leaves and fruits for about two weeks
- cut Banaba leaves and fuits into peices
- Boil the dried leaves and fruits in water,
- one cup of dried banana leaves and fruits to 2 cups of water.
- Let it seep for 30 minutes,
- tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">Strain the leaves and fruits.
- Take the Banaba herbal tea for 4 to 6 times daily.
Dosage
ADULTS BY MOUTH:
- For insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes: A specific banaba extract has been taken at a dose of 32-48 mg per day for 2 weeks. A specific product containing a combination of banaba and cinnamon inner bark has been taken at a dose of 100 mg per day for 12 weeks.
Warnings, and Side Effects of Banaba
Banaba is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth on a short-term basis. The long-term safety is unknown. Just like any herbal medicine, moderation in use is recommended.
insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">Diabetes. Banaba can affect blood sugar control, when taking Banaba herbal medicine, monitor blood sugar level and it is recommended to consult with your doctor.
Blood pressure. Banaba herbal medicine can lower blood pressure level. It is best to monitor blood pressure while taking Banaba herbal medicine for people with low blood pressure conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. There is no sufficient studies done to investigate the adverse or side effects of Banaba herbal medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is recommended to aovoid its use.
Surgery: Banaba might affect blood sugar levels and could make blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. Stop using banaba at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
INTERACTIONS
Medications for insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.Banaba might decrease blood sugar. insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking banaba along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.Banaba might decrease blood pressure. Taking banaba along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much banaba if you are taking medications for high blood pressure. Some medications for high blood pressure include nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and others.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.Some medications are moved by pumps in cells. Banaba might change how these pumps work and decrease how much of some medications get absorbed by the body. This could make these medications less effective. Some of these medications that are moved by pumps in cells include bosentan (Tracleer), celiprolol (Celicard, others), etoposide (VePesid), fexofenadine (Allegra), fluoroquinolone antibiotics, glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta), irinotecan (Camptosar), methotrexate, nadolol (Corgard), paclitaxel (Taxol), saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase), rifampin, statins, talinolol, torsemide (Demadex), troglitazone, and valsartan (Diovan).
Science Research: Cassia alata Health Benefits
Antioxidant effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers (banaba) leaf extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.
Aqueous leaf extract of L. speciosa (banaba) effectively decreased the blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice after 15th day of banaba exposure. Further, banaba leaf extract have the potential to inhibit lipid peroxidation and effectively intercept/neutralize reactive oxygen species such as super oxide, H2O2 and NO based free radicals. The aqueous banaba leaf extract (150 mg/kg bodyweight) duly reduced STZ generated reactive intermediates and radical species helping to regulate normal levels of antioxidative markers like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione. Source: Indian J Exp Biol. 2011 Feb;49(2):125-31.
Antiobesity activity of extracts from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. leaves on female KK-Ay mice
In the present study, five-week-old female KK-Ay mice were fed a control diet or test diet containing 5% of a hot-water extract from banaba leaves instead of cellulose for 12 wk. Neither group showed any changes in diet intake during the experimental period. Body weight gain and parametrial adipose tissue weight were lowered significantly in the banaba diet group. Blood glucose levels were not suppressed in the banaba diet group, but hemoglobin A1C was found to be suppressed at the end of the experiment. No effects on the serum lipids were observed, but the mice fed banaba extract showed a significant decrease, to 65% of the control level in total hepatic lipid contents. This decrease was due to a reduction in the accumulation of triglyceride. These results suggest that banaba had a beneficial effect on obese female KK-Ay mice. Source: J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1999 Dec;45(6):791-5.
Triterpene acids isolated from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.The potential antidiabetic activity of ethyl acetate extract of the leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa (LSL) was investigated by alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition assay. Six pentacyclic triterpenes (oleanolic acid, arjunolic acid, asiatic acid, maslinic acid, corosolic acid and 23-hydroxyursolic acid) were isolated from LSL. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and their alpha-glycosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities were investigated. They exhibited no or weak inhibitory activity against alpha-amylase and middle alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Corosolic acid, which shows best bioactivity against alpha-glucosidase (IC(50) = 3.53 microg/mL), contributes most to the alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of EtOAc extract. The kinetics of inhibition of corosolic acid was also discussed. Results from this study might provide the scientific evidence for LSL for the treatment of diabetes in traditional medicine. Source: Phytother Res. 2009 May;23(5):614-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2661.
Ellagic acid & gallic acid from Lagerstroemia speciosa L. inhibit HIV-1 infection through inhibition of HIV-1 protease & reverse transcriptase activity.The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-HIV property of the extracts prepared from the leaves and stems of banaba. Aqueous and 50 per cent ethanolic extracts were prepared from leaves and stems of banaba and were evaluated for cytotoxicity and anti-HIV activity using in vitro reporter gene based assays. All the extracts showed a dose dependent inhibition of HIV-1-infection in TZM-bl and CEM-GFP cell lines with a maximum from the 50 per cent ethanolic extract from leaves (IC 50 = 1 to 25 μg/ml). The present study shows a novel anti-HIV activity of banaba. The active components responsible for anti-HIV activity were gallic acid and ellagic acid, through inhibition of reverse transcriptase and HIV protease, respectively and hence could be regarded as promising candidates for the development of topical anti-HIV-1 agents.
Source: Indian J Med Res. 2013 Mar;137(3):540-8.
Free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L).Anti-inflammatory activity of the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts were examined using the carrageenan-induced acute inflammation and formalin-induced (chronic) paw edema models. In acute and chronic inflammation models, the ethyl acetate extract reduced the paw edema significantly in a dose-dependent manner. Whereas, ethanol extract did not show dose-dependent activity. This results suggests that the anti-inflammatory activity is possibly attributed to its free radical scavenging activity. It was found that ethyl acetate extract reduced the inflammation more significantly than the ethanol extract. Source: Inflammopharmacology. 2008 Aug;16(4):182-7. doi: 10.1007/s10787-008-7002-6.
