The herbal and health information provided in this Web Site is intended as historical information only. The historical uses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nothing listed within this Web Site should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. Persons with serious medical conditions should always seek professional care.
The Banana is a large plant that grows in the tropical parts of Central America, South America, Asia, and Africa, where the climate is warm and damp the year round. It grows 10 to 40 feet high and has enormous, broad green leaves that are sometimes 10 feet long. The Banana plant has a hollow stem that is 8 to 15 inches thick. Another stem, which grows through the hollow stem, bears the flowers and the fruit. The flower bud is very large and shaped like a heart. As it grows it slowly unfolds and shows about 100 small blossoms, which are long and narrow and grow together in clusters or groups. Some of these clusters grow into great bunches of fruit. Each bunch is called a ‘hand’ because it looks almost like a hand with the separate Bananas like fingers. The fruit is cut off the plant while it is still green and unripe.
When the fruit is ripe its soft skin is yellow and resembles a small Plantain. The flesh of the fruit is soft, sweet, and a very pale cream color. Banana plants are cut down after the fruit has been removed, because they bear fruit only once. A piece of the root is planted again and in a few months the young plant grows several feet height. It takes two years before the plant begins to flower and bear fruit. Bananas are an excellent provider of energy and a healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Banana is the perfect supplement for active people. It provides large amounts of Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin C, which are two of the vitamins most commonly lost during strenuous exercise. Banana is most well known as a supplier of potassium. Potassium is very important to muscle function and is the nutrient most often associated with relieving muscle cramps. The potassium in Banana may also help reduce the likelihood of hypertension and stroke. Banana is also high in dietary fiber, and thus may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Banana is also packed with natural energy and phytonutrients.
(This herbal ingredient can be purchased from Viable Herbal Solutions in powdered and capsule form as part of our Single Herb sales program.)
