Banana, Ripe (Musa spp.)
Medicinal Profile of
Banana, Ripe (Musa spp.)
Ripe Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits worldwide, valued for their sweet taste, creamy texture, and quick source of energy. Traditionally, they’ve been used both as food and medicine, soothing digestive upset, restoring vitality in states of depletion, and offering easily absorbable nutrients. Their versatility and accessibility make them a staple in both traditional diets and modern therapeutic nutrition.
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👉 Tastes describe the initial impression a food or herb leaves on the tongue, and they reveal its deeper actions in the body, shaping digestion, circulation, and tissue response.
Sweet - Nourishing, building, and moistening; supports strength, tissue repair, and grounding energy.
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👉Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.
Immediate Qualities (short-term effects after use):
Moistening – Adds or preserves fluid, softens tissues, counters dryness.
Relaxing – Eases tension, softens rigidity, supports release.
Heavy/Dense – Grounds, slows, strengthens structure, leaving a sense of satiety and calm.
Long-Term Qualities (effects with daily/heavy use):
Moistening → Dampening – With regular heavy intake, may encourage sluggishness, fluid retention, or mucus accumulation in some individuals.
Stabilizing – Provides steady nourishment, cooling irritation, and supporting calmness in digestion and nerves.
Constraining (mild) – Due to soluble fiber (pectin), can slow elimination over time in sensitive individuals, especially if hydration is low.
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👉 Affinities describe which organ systems or tissues a food most directly influences, showing where its actions are felt most strongly.
Primary Affinities
Digestive System – Soothes the stomach lining, eases irritation, and supports regular bowel movements through its moistening, demulcent qualities.
Nervous System – Provides steady glucose, vitamin B6, and magnesium to nourish neurotransmitters and stabilize mood.
Secondary Affinities
Musculoskeletal System – Replenishes electrolytes, particularly potassium and magnesium, helping maintain muscle tone and prevent cramping.
Cardiovascular System – Potassium supports healthy blood pressure, while antioxidants gently aid vascular balance.
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Terrain indications describe the patterns inside the body where a remedy or practice is most useful.
👉 To learn more about these patterns in depth, read this blog.
Primary Indications
Dry / Atrophy – Lack of fluids or thinning/weakening of tissues.
Form & Application: Fresh ripe banana, eaten raw or gently cooked, to moisten, soften, and replenish tissue. Dose: 1 medium ripe banana daily; for therapeutic moistening, up to 2 bananas/day.Secondary Indications (Patterns that occur as a result of primary patterns)
(Mild) Hyperreactivity in Digestion – Localized irritation, inflammation, or excessive reactivity in tissues. Form & Application: Fresh ripe banana to soothe irritated stomach lining and reduce gastric flare. Dose: ½–1 banana between meals as needed for soothing effect.
Emergency Indication (Hypofunction) – Low energy or slowed metabolism due to insufficient cellular activity. Form & Application: Ripe banana or banana powder for quick sugars and B6 in cases of sudden fatigue, weakness, or faintness (not long-term corrective). Dose: 1 banana immediately for energy support; banana powder 1–2 tablespoons mixed into warm water or smoothie.
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👉 Constituents are the natural compounds in a food that give rise to its actions in the body.
Potassium – Regulates fluid balance, supports heart function, and prevents muscle cramping.
Magnesium – Calms nerves, relaxes muscles, and supports energy metabolism.
Vitamin B6 – Essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and stable mood.
Vitamin C – Antioxidant that aids tissue repair and immune function.
Dietary fiber (pectin, soluble fiber) – Promotes regularity, steadies blood sugar, and supports gut flora.
Natural sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose) – Provide quick, accessible energy.
Small amounts of dopamine and serotonin precursors – Influence mood regulation and digestive function.
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👉 Nutritional values give the measurable nutrients that a food contributes to the diet.
Per medium ripe banana, ~118 g)
Calories: ~105, Carbohydrates: ~27 g, Sugars: ~14 g, Fiber: ~3 g, Protein: ~1 g, Fat: <0.5 g, Potassium: ~422 mg, Vitamin B6: ~0.4 mg (~25% DV), Vitamin C: ~10 mg (~15% DV), Magnesium: ~32 mg (~8% DV)
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Digestive System
Demulcent (soothing) – Coats and calms the stomach lining, easing mild gastritis or irritation.
Regulatory – Softens stool and promotes bowel regularity.
Prebiotic – Feeds beneficial gut flora with soluble fiber.
Nervous System
Nourishing tonic – Provides glucose and B6 for neurotransmitter balance.
Calming – Magnesium supports relaxation and mood stability.
Musculoskeletal System
Electrolyte replenisher – Potassium and magnesium prevent muscle cramping and aid recovery.
Cardiovascular System
Blood pressure support – Potassium counterbalances sodium, easing vascular tension.
Antioxidant support – Vitamin C and trace dopamine gently protect vessel health.
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Mild to Moderate – Food-grade and gentle in action; safe for frequent use, supportive rather than corrective.
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Potassium-sparing medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics) – High intake may contribute to elevated potassium levels in sensitive individuals.
General – Minimal interaction risk; safe in most cases as part of the diet.
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Fresh fruit (eaten raw or lightly cooked) – Used internally for soothing digestion, restoring fluids, and providing nourishment.
Smoothies / purees – Blended for easy assimilation and cooling support.
Stewed or mashed – Combined with warming spices (like cinnamon) to balance moistening and cooling properties.
Cosmetic folk uses (topical):
Hair mask – Mashed ripe banana applied to scalp and hair as a natural conditioner for softness and frizz control.
Moisturizing face mask – Pulp applied to dry or dull skin for temporary hydration and smoothing.
Soothing pulp – Direct application for mild dryness or irritation; more cosmetic than medicinal.
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Fluid Congestion in the Digestive System – May worsen bloating or heaviness in sluggish systems.
Late-stage kidney disease – Limit due to high potassium content.
Allergy – Rare, but possible with latex-fruit cross-reactivity. Most likely in individuals with Hyperreactivity pattern in the Immune system, where the immune system is hypersensitive and prone to exaggerated responses.
Excess consumption – May cause constipation or heaviness if eaten in large amounts.
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Duke, J. A. (2002). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
Li, M., Ma, F., & Liang, D. (2019). “Banana as a functional food: Nutritional and phytochemical properties.” Food Reviews International, 35(3), 243–267.
USDA FoodData Central. (2024). Nutrient data for ripe banana, raw. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Wall, M. M. (2006). “Ascorbic acid and mineral composition of banana (Musa spp.) and papaya (Carica papaya) cultivars grown in Hawaii.” Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 19(5), 434–445.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Fruit and vegetable promotion initiative: A meeting report. Geneva: WHO Press.
Southgate, D. A. T. (1991). Nature and variability of human food consumption. Cambridge University Press.
Ayurveda: Lad, V. (1984). Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing. Lotus Press. (Banana described as sweet, heavy, moistening, nutritive; pacifies Vata, aggravates Kapha in excess.)
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Chen, J. K., & Chen, T. T. (2004). Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology. Art of Medicine Press. (Banana noted as moistening, clearing heat, relieving thirst and dryness.)
Unani Medicine: Hakim, S. M. A. (1998). Unani Materia Medica. New Delhi: CCRUM. (Banana used as a nutritive, demulcent fruit with moistening qualities, beneficial for dryness and wasting conditions.)
