Abstract:
Most people are unaware that Banana or plantain is the world’s largest herb with
valuable medicinal properties. ‘Banana’ is a general term embracing a number of
species or hybrids in the genus Musa of the family Musacea. It is used as a food,
symbol of prosperity and in medicine. Bananas are starchier and mostly consumed
after cooking, whereas Plantains are sweeter and generally consumed as a dessert.
In Sri Lanka, different varieties of plantains such as Alu Kesel, Kithala and bananas
such as Kolikuttu, Suwandel, Puvalu, Embul, Anavalu, Nethra Palam, Embun,
Bim Kesel, Nadi, Pulathisi, Kandula, Sudu Kochchi, Prasad, Rata Horadavalu,
Wal Suwandel, Ratel and Rathanavalu are available. Traditional and Ayurvedic
physicians use most parts of the herb in medicine. The commonest variety used
medicinally is Musa sapientum. The aim of this study was to collect and preserve
the scattered knowledge on medicinal uses of bananas and plantains in Sri Lanka.
Data was gathered from olla manuscripts and transcriptions, Ayurvedic and traditional
texts and local knowledge on traditional medicine in Southern, Western, Northwestern and Sabaragamuva provinces. Formulae were sorted to show medicinal
values of parts such as the root, corm, pseudo-stem, leaves, leaves sheath, pith,
inflorescence, fruits and suckers. These are used to treat ailments like diabetes
mellitus, diarrhoea, constipation, warts, heart-burn, impaired appetite, menorrhagia,
poisoning, dysuria, leucorrhoea and eye diseases. Some recent uses are haemoptysis,
cough, renal calculi, urinary obstructions, weight reduction, infant’s dietary
supplement, dandruff, anaemia, stress, depression, control nicotine withdrawal
symptoms and to reduce risk of hypertension and stroke.
