Bananas have a special place in diets low in fat, cholesterol, and salt. In the mythological ages in Europe, a banana was called the apple of paradise. In the traditional medicine of India and ancient Persia, this golden fruit is considered the secret of nature’s eternal youth. To this day, the banana is known to promote healthy digestion and create a youthful feeling. The banana is one of the oldest and most well-known fruits in the world. It is delicious and available in all seasons.

The banana has great nutritional value. It constitutes almost a complete balanced diet in combination with milk. It is a good source of quick energy and an excellent means of recovery from fatigue.

Hypertension and heart problem: Potassium salt, like beta blockers, can reduce the risk of high blood pressure and therefore heart problems. Banana, being a rich source of potassium and low in sodium, is beneficial for patients with high blood pressure.

Certain compounds in bananas behave as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE is responsible for the increase in blood pressure. The ACE inhibitory property has been found in six banana varieties.

obesity: A diet of half a banana and skimmed milk for breakfast is considered an effective remedy for weight reduction.

Bowel disorder: Banana is used as a dietary food against intestinal disorders. Since chronic ulcer patients should avoid any sour fruit, it is the only fruit they can eat without distress. It neutralizes the hyperacidity of the gastric juice and reduces the irritation of the ulcer. The ripe banana is very beneficial in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, since it is soft, easy to digest and slightly laxative. Relieves acute symptoms and promotes the healing process.

Constipation and Diarrhea: The banana helps both constipation and diarrhea, as it balances the functions of the colon in the large intestine. It absorbs a large amount of water, which helps in proper bowel movement.

Dysentery: Banana puree with little salt is a valuable remedy for dysentery. According to traditional naturopathy, a combination of ripe plantain, tamarind, and common salt is most effective in this disease.

Anemia: Being high in iron, bananas are beneficial in the treatment of anemia. Stimulates the production of hemoglobin in the blood.

Allergies: The fruit is very useful for those who are allergic to certain foods and therefore suffer from skin rashes, digestive disorders or asthma. The banana contains compounds that in most cases are not allergic. The fruit, however, causes allergic reactions in certain sensitive people and they should be avoided.

Tuberculosis: Bananas are considered useful in the treatment of tuberculosis. The juice of plantain or ordinary cooked banana works wonders in the treatment of tuberculosis.

Urinary disorder: Banana stem juice is a well-known remedy for urinary disorders. Helps improve kidney and liver functions. It has been proven to be of great help in the treatment for the elimination of kidney and gallbladder stones.

Menstrual disorder: Cooked banana flower eaten with curd is considered an effective medicine for painful menstruation and excessive bleeding. Banana flower increases the concentration of the hormone progesterone, which reduces bleeding.

Other uses: The ripe plantain is mainly eaten in a dessert or as a breakfast fruit. Green fruits can be cooked. Plantain chips made from fully ripe immature plantains are tasty and healthy. The flour prepared from the immature dry plantain is three times richer in minerals than wheat flour. It is also easily digestible than cereal starches and is an ideal food for infants and patients. Banana is also useful in arthritis.

Precautions: The banana must be fully ripe, otherwise it is difficult to digest. The raw plantain contains 20 to 25 percent starch. But during the ripening process, this starch is completely converted into a sugar that is easily assimilated.

The fruit should not be eaten by those suffering from kidney failure due to its high potassium content.