Lagerstroemia speciosa (generic name)
Table of Contents
Top Learning Centers(Recursos en Español)
CategoryHerbs & Supplements
Banaba extract, banglang (Vietnam), bang-lang (Cambobia), bungor (Malaya, Sabah), Byers wonderful white crapemyrtle, crape myrtle, crepe myrtle, corosolic acid, ellagitannins (flosin B, reginin A, lagerstroemin), flos-reginae Retz, GlucosolTM, glucosal, intanin (Thailand), jarul (India), Lagerstroemia, Lagerstroemia indica, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Lagerstroemia speciosa, lasubine, Lythraceae (family), lythraceae alkaloids, Munchausia speciosa, Pride-of-India, pyinma, Queen's crape myrtle, Queens flower.
Banaba is a medicinal plant that grows in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. Banaba has been used for blood sugar control. The hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) effect of banaba leaf extract is similar to that of insulin, which induces glucose transport from the blood into body cells.
Currently, research suggests that taking banaba extract, standardized to 1% corosolic acid, by mouth may lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, however further evidence is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.
EvidenceDISCLAIMER: These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Preliminary research investigating the effects of banaba on diabetes report promising results. However, additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be made.
TraditionWARNING: DISCLAIMER: The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Antibacterial, anti-obesity, antitumor, antitussive, dyspepsia (upset stomach), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), hypertriglyceridemia (elevated fatty acid compounds in the blood).
Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven effective dose for banaba. For diabetes, 32 and 48 milligrams daily for two weeks has been used.
Children (younger than 18 years)
There is no proven effective dose for banaba in children.
SafetyDISCLAIMER: Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.
Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to banaba or its constituents.
Side Effects and Warnings
Banaba is generally considered to be safe when taken by mouth for up to 15 days for the treatment of type II diabetes. No adverse effects have been noted in the available research. Use cautiously in patients with diabetes since banaba may lower blood sugar.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Banaba is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.