Musa paradisiaca (Kadali)

It is quoted under Rodhradi gana by Suܾta and Vagbhata. All the texts have quoted its fruits under phala varga. All most all the parts of this plant are used in therapeutics.

Botanical Description – It is a tree like herb growing to a height of 3-9 m. It is found all over India.

Major Chemical Constituents– 5-hydroxytryptamine etc., in raw pulp or banana; rhizome ash is used; Fruit- Ca, P, Oxalic acid, Vitamins etc.

Part Used– Tuber, flower, fruit, pith of stem

Dosage– Fresh juice 10-20 ml, powder 1-3 g.

Research–

(1) The Kshara (alkali) prepared from banana stem revealed a good diuretic activity in rats, which was attributed to its high potassium content. It has no toxic effects (Bhide et al., 1958).

(2) Administration of banana extract into the stomach of guinea pig resulted in a marked reduction of histamine-induced gastric secretion. Banana feeding also protected guinea pigs against chronic gastric ulceration and perforation, induced by repeated injection of histamine (Sanyal et al., 1961 & Sinha et al., 1961).