Banaba: The Generous Tree

The banaba tree stands, poised in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, its smooth and flaky bark adorned with the shadows of its purplish-lilac flowers perched atop large, ellipti-cal leaves. Beside it, a younger banaba is easily growing, taking in both the organic and synthetic fertilizers mixed with the soil in which it is rooted. In this manner, the banaba matures well into a self-sufficient and robust tree. Both ornamental and medicinal, the banaba tree or the Queen’s Flower, as it is dotingly called, has proven itself a significant asset in this life. India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia have all reserved some of their land’s alluvium soil for this special tree. In the Philippines, it is a natural gem that is widely distributed from the Batan Islands, Northern Luzon, Palawan, and Mindanao.

THE BANABA IS A GENEROUS TREE!

THE BANABA FLOWER
The banaba’s, which are being cultivated in Manila because of its beauty, yields an activity that ranges from 4.4 or 5.4 units of insulin, which is more or less 70 per cent of the fruit’s activity. When its amazing flowers aren’t in bloom, the banaba tree seems rather unremarkable, but come flowering season, the vibrant blossom color transforms the dull canopy of the rainforest.

THE BANABA LEAVES
With reserves of dietary fibers and minerals like magnesium and zinc,the banaba is a natural health supplement. Its yellow-orange leaves alone are considered as purgatives and diuretics; they are being utilized for the preparation of a medicinal tea that could fight off kidney ailments, diabetes, and urinary dysfunctions. When boiled in water, the leaves clear obstruction from the natural ducts of the body and induce urination. A leaf poultice is used to relieve malarial fever and can be applied on cracked feet. Its hypoglycemic effect is similar to that of insulin: it can lower a person’s blood sugar. The active principle is believed to be corsolic acid, a compound that promotes glucosetransport or utilization in body cells.That also makes it effective in the control of hypertension and in the reduction of cholesterol. Overweight? Then,the banaba might just be the perfect remedy to your woes. Not only is the tea a healer, but, according to sources, it also actually tastes good!

THE BANABA SEED
The seed of the banaba grows easily into a seedling, and can adapt to almost any kind of soil. They are believed to have a narcotic effect and are therefore employed against aphthae, a shallow, painful type of mouth ulcer.

THE BANABA FRUIT
Along with its leaves, the banaba’s brown ripe fruit is considered to yield the greatest amount of insulin-like principle. 20 grams of these two-week dried fruits were found to have activity equivalent to 6 to 7.7 units of insulin. Some physicians believe that this is a better remedy for diabetes mellitus than the leaves, for they have greater glucose-lowering effect.

THE BANABA WOOD
Its reddish-brown wood makes the banaba valuable for furniture-making. With a beautiful straight grain,it is an excellent material for articles such as cabinets, picture frames, etc.Often, it is used as support for rattan. It yields an extremely small amount of insulin-like principle. Over all, it makes the banaba a useful timber tree.Considered as astringents, febrifuges, and stimulants, the banaba’s roots have been used for a variety of stomach ailments such as aphthous stomatitis. The roots’ density and prevalence makes it perfect for erosion control. In Java, Indonesia, the banaba roots have been used in the reforestation of their degraded hills. The banaba’s bark, which is also considered as febrifuges and stimulants, has been used for the treatment of diarrhea. Boiling the bark for drinking is proven to induce bowel movements or loosen the stool. Growing to about 40 to 60 meters in height, the banaba tree can provide a shade that is deemed only perfect for a bustling metropolis. Perhaps, you have passed by South Luzon Expressway or Alabang Town Center, or maybe you have cruised down just an ordinary road. The banaba tree thrives well with sunlight and is thus welcomed in sun-drenched places. We can usually see them along roadsides as well as in parks and other various forms of landscape. Through this alone, we witness the significance and beauty of the banaba tree in this planet.

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