Overview

Banana is a fruit that grows near tropical rainforests. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, leaves, "false stem," stem, flowers, and roots, can be used as medicine. In North America, most of the available bananas are from one specific variety. However, there are many varieties available around the world. Bananas have been grown as crops for thousands of years.

Parts of the banana are used for low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalemia), constipation, and diarrhea. They are also used for diabetes, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

How does it work ?

Banana contains chemicals and sugars. Some of these sugars act like fiber, which can help to regulate the gastrointestinal system. The chemicals might act like antioxidants and decrease swelling. Bananas also contain potassium and other vitamins and minerals.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Diarrhea. In young children, cooked green bananas reduce symptoms and speed up time to recovery from diarrhea due to various causes. In adults fed with a tube, adding banana flakes to liquid feeds reduces symptoms of diarrhea.
There is interest in using banana for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Bananas are LIKELY SAFE in the amounts typically eaten as food. Side effects to banana are rare but may include bloating, gas, cramping, softer stools, nausea, and vomiting. In very high doses, bananas might cause high blood levels of potassium. Some people are allergic to banana. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use banana as a medicine or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: The leaves of banana are POSSIBLY SAFE when applied appropriately, short-term. Some people are allergic to banana. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other parts of the banana plant are safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Bananas are LIKELY SAFE in the amounts typically eaten as food. Side effects to banana are rare but may include bloating, gas, cramping, softer stools, nausea, and vomiting. In very high doses, bananas might cause high blood levels of potassium. Some people are allergic to banana. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use banana as a medicine or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: The leaves of banana are POSSIBLY SAFE when applied appropriately, short-term. Some people are allergic to banana. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other parts of the banana plant are safe or what the side effects might be. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if banana is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid amounts greater than those typically eaten as food.

Latex allergy: People who are sensitive to latex are more likely to have an allergic reaction to banana.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for BANANA overview.

Dosing

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:
  • For diarrhea: 1-3 tablespoons of banana flakes (Kanana Banana, Corpak Co) every 8 hours in a feeding tube for 7 days.
CHILDREN

BY MOUTH:
  • For diarrhea: 50-300 grams of cooked green bananas every day for up to 14 days in children aged 6-60 months. These children also received standard care and antibiotics as needed.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.