Post by Trade Coach on Oct 24, 2018 12:37:12 GMT 1
From its fruits that is eaten, its leaves, trunk and roots, plantain is indeed a multipurpose plant.
In folklore medicine, plantain is recommended for treatment of different ailments, including urinary stone, epilepsy, dysentery and diarrhoea. The root is said to have aphrodisiac property and is used for impotence in men.
In folklore medicine, different varieties of plantain and bananas, including their flowers, green fruits and roots have been used to lower blood sugar. In Nigeria, for example, various parts of plantain are used in the preparation of over-the-counter natural remedy for diabetes.
Looking into the effectiveness of ethanol extracts of plantain trunk in lowering blood pressure, scientists suggested its effect was similar to metformin, the conventional medicines used by diabetic patients in maintaining their blood sugar level.
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. It is a chronic disease with a substantial elevation in the circulating blood sugar.
The major mode of controlling diabetes is usually by diet, exercise and insulin replacement therapy and by the use of herbal agents to lower blood sugar level.
Plants have been used for the major source of treatment of diabetes mellitus from ancient time in the Indian medicine and in the world.
In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Pharmacy Research, the scientists stated that fasting blood glucose level was significantly reduced by the three days of treatment with ethanol trunk extract of plantain in a fashion that is comparable to the standard metformin.
In another development, researchers said the methanolic extract of green fruits of plantain has the potential of lowering the blood sugar level. The 2003 study was carried out by Ojewole J.A and Adewunmi C.O at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Durban-Westville, Durban, South Africa and published in the journal, Methods Finding Experimental Clinical Pharmacology.
The researcher, while lending credence to the suggested folkloric use of the plant in the management and/or control of adult-onset, type-2 diabetic mellitus among the Yoruba-speaking people of South-Western, suggested that the blood-sugar-lowering effect of the methanolic extract of the unripe plantain might be due to the extract at least in part stimulating insulin production and subsequent glucose utilization.
In Ghana, the stem juice of Musa paradisiaca is used in traditional medical practice to arrest bleeding from a wound. Results of experiments conducted to scientifically investigate the possible haemostatic effect of Musa paradisiaca stem juice in guinea pigs using bleeding and clotting times in the journal, Advances in Biological Research, observed that blood clotting and bleeding times were both significantly reduced when the stem juice was applied.
In Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine Musa paradisiaca is used as an antidote for asthma, burns, excessive menstrual flow, diabetes, worm expeller, hypertension, insomnia and snake bite. Its leaves can be used in the treatment of a cough and bronchitis. Roots are used as worm expeller. Fruits can increase the renal activities, reduce the risk of kidney cancer.
It is also used in diarrhoea, stomach aches, lack of appetite, maintaining bones healthy, gastric ulcer, strengthening the immune system, reducing the risk of hypertension, mental shock and to improve the muscular activity.
In a review of Pharmacognostic studies and Pharmacological actions of Musa Paradisiaca in the 2011 International Journal of Innovative Pharmaceutical Research, orally administered banana pulp powder was shown to protect against ulcer in rats. The study suggests that banana powder treatment not only strengthens the lining of the intestine against ulcers, but also promotes healing.