Banaba Herbal Medicine

Banaba Health Benefits, Dosage, Side effects and Warnings.

Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia speciosa L Munchausia speciosa

Linn. Lagestroemia reginae Roxb
Other names:

Agaro, Mitla, Bugarom, Nabulong, Pamalauagon, Duguam, Pamarauagon,

Kauilan, Parasabukung, Makablos, Tabangau, Tauagnau

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 herbal treatment for diabetes. In India, Banaba is
also used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of diabetes.

The Banaba leaves and flowers contain corrosolic 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 carbohydraes. 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 grow 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,

inflammation of kidneys,

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.

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 g/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.

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 Diabetes?

The following details the preparation and application of Banaba herbal
medicine for 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,

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 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 banaba leaves and

fruits to 2 cups of water.

Let it seep for 30 minutes,

 Strain the leaves and fruits.

Take the Banaba herbal tea for 4 to 6

times daily.

Dosage, 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.

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 the blood pressure
level. It is best to monitor the blood pressure while taking Banaba herbal
medicine for people with low blood pressure condition.

Pregnancy and Breast feeding. There is no sufficient studies done to

investigate the adverse or side effects of Banaba herbal medicine during
pregnancy and breast feeding. It is recommended to aovoid its use.