B for Banana - Wonderful Fruit of India

Pic. by Mathews V Philip

B for Banana

Oh My God!!! How long I have to swallow these bitter pills!!!

You might have groaned this way!

Stop doing that!

Here is a remedy for such groaning.

Just peel a banana and enjoy the health benefits and say Goodbye to such problems!

Yes.  This is yet another miracle fruit the Creator God has provided for our use.  Do you know that  Banana stands in the first place as the leading fresh fruit sold in the United States of America. Though it belongs to the grass family it grows technically a tree-like herb and can grow up 40 feet tall.

This is one of the rare fruits in all season and is very cheap comparing with other fruits.  This is one of the most hygienic fruit available in the market.  Its thick covering provides good protection from contamination.  This is available in different color, and interestingly it is believed that India and Malaya is its origin. Also this plant considered as very auspicious in most of the Hindu religious activities.  An Indian legend says that not the Apple but the banana was the fruit offered to Adam in the Garden of Eden and in many parts of Europe this fruit is considered as ‘Fruit of Paradise’.  The writers of Arabia and Greek referred this fruit as “Wonderful Fruit of India”.  

In India this is mainly cultivated in southern, eastern and western parts of India.  This fruit makes a wonderful and healthy  snack for the breakfast in the houses in Keralites (people who belongs to the state of Kerala-My native place)  Because this plant and fruits are available in plenty in each households of Kerala.Read More about Kerala at this link K is for Kerala

Let us look in to the medicinal aspects of this wonder working fruit.

An Indian research found that eating two bananas a day can lower blood pressure by 10 percent; the reason behind it is its high content in potassium and less sodium.  This combination will keep your blood pressure in control.

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Since it contains good source of calories. Proteins, minerals assimilable sugar and less water (comparing to other fruits) makes it a source of energy and it helps to restore from fatigue.  It is also a complete balanced diet very well go in combination with milk.  Banana and milk together provide all necessary vitamins and minerals required for the body.

In the traditional medicine of India and the ancient Persia this fruit is considered as nature’s permanent youth.  It provides a healthy digestion for the intestinal disorders, it is one of the best remedies even for the chronic ulcers. This is the only raw fruit which can be taken without any fear in the case of chronic ulcers.  This is used as a good remedy to constipation and diarrhea and dysentery. 

For Arthritis and Gout a balanced diet of banana is advised, eight to nine bananas can be given during this period no other food is advised to take.  Since it contains iron it is a good intake for anemic patients.  Those who are allergic to certain foods this is an excellent food.  However in few cases this does cause allergic reactions, such people should avoid this.   Because of its low protein and salt content and high carbohydrate its intake is good for the kidney disorders. It works as a wonderful medicine to kidney patients.  Foods rich in potassium may reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.  Studies shows that high intake of potassium from a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can slash your risk of stones by 30 to 50 percent.

This fruit can be used in controlling Tuberculosis.  According to Dr. J Montelvz of Brazil, South America “the juice of the plantain or the ordinary cooked bananas can do wonders in tuberculosis patients.  He claims to have cured patients with acute tuberculosis with frequent cough, abundant expectoration or phlegm and high fever in two months by this treatment. (Nature Cure Council of Medical Research, Lucknow 1982).

Eating bananas protect yourself from Osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease.

It is also used in weight reduction treatment. Bananas with skimmed milk considered as an effective remedy for this problem. Cooked banana flower taken with curd is an effective remedy for menstrual disorders.

As mentioned in the beginning, this is used as one of the major item in breakfast, taken as raw and cooked.  Banana chips are made from the unripe fruits. The flour made out of unripe bananas are rich in minerals than the wheat flour, this is given to the infants and convalescing patients.

This fruit should not be kept in refrigerator. Since it contains high potassium content this should not be given to the people suffering from kidney failure. 

Source:

Dr. Vishwanaathan Maanathaara, Thiruvalla

The Word Book Encyclopedia 

F C & A Medical Publishing

Getty Images, Mathews V Philip

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