Folk uses of plantain (Musa x paradisiaca var. sapientum) in India.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Plantain or edible banana (musa x paradisica var 鈥� sapiemtum) some lesser known folk uses in india
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
P. Pushpangadan, Jeet Kaur, Jyoti Sharma
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Plantain or edible banana (musa x paradisica var 鈥� sapiemtum) some lesser known folk uses in india
Year: 1989
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The plantain or edible banana (Musa X paradisiaca var. sapientum) is a significant tropical fruit in India, with historical roots in ancient literature and practices. Valued for its nutritional content, it serves not only as a food source but also plays a key role in numerous folk traditions, rituals, and medicinal applications among villagers and tribal communities. A study by Pushpangadan et al. reveals that various parts of the banana plant are utilized in diverse ways, some being lesser-known yet effective remedies for common ailments, reflecting the rich ethnobotanical knowledge passed down through oral traditions.
Medicinal Uses of Banana: Lesser-Known Applications
The banana tree is widely recognized for its medicinal properties in Ayurveda, being used as an effective treatment for a range of health issues. Lesser-known medicinal uses include utilizing banana roots and rhizomes for inducing abortions and treating menstrual disorders. The leaves serve as cooling dressings for burns and blisters, while the leaf ash is employed as an alkaline remedy for digestive issues. The fruit itself is deemed stomach-friendly and beneficial in treating dysentery and menstrual disorders when prepared in specific ways. The traditional knowledge surrounding these applications highlights the importance of preserving this cultural heritage and the biodiversity of local banana varieties.
Conclusion
The study emphasizes the critical need to conserve endemic banana varieties and their associated folk uses, which are at risk of extinction due to the rise of high-yielding banana cultivars. The diversity of banana species, along with their unique medicinal properties, forms an integral part of local traditions that contribute to community well-being. Immediate measures are crucial for the preservation of these rare varieties to ensure the continuation of valuable folk knowledge and practices, safeguarding not only the plants themselves but also the cultural identity of the communities that rely on them.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the significance of banana in Indian culture?
Banana holds a unique position in Indian culture, symbolizing plenty and fertility. It is commonly used in religious rituals, ceremonies, and is an essential part of offerings, especially in southern India, where traditions involving banana leaves are customary.
What are some traditional medicinal uses of banana?
Banana is used in traditional medicine for various ailments, such as treating stomach disorders, menstrual issues, and skin problems. Different parts of the banana plant, like leaves and roots, are employed in folk remedies across India, often effective for common health issues.
How is banana used in religious rituals in India?
Banana trees and fruits are integral to many religious rituals. In ceremonies, banana leaves often serve as plates, and the fruit is offered to deities as a symbol of nourishment and prosperity, reflecting its cultural and spiritual significance.
What is the concern regarding traditional banana varieties?
With the rise of high-yielding banana varieties, many local, endemic varieties are becoming rare. This loss threatens not only biodiversity but also the traditional knowledge and folk uses associated with these unique banana types, underscoring the need for conservation efforts.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淔olk uses of plantain (Musa x paradisiaca var. sapientum) in India.鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Medicine:
Medicine is a crucial aspect of folk practices associated with the banana plant, particularly in treating various ailments. The diverse applications of different parts of the banana, such as leaves, roots, and fruits, highlight its significance in traditional medicine, where it serves as a safe home remedy for common health issues.
2) Musha (Musa, Mus膩, M奴峁Ｄ�, Mu峁Ｄ�, Mus谩):
Musa refers to the genus that includes bananas, a plant well-known for its nutritional value and medicinal properties. The botanical classification underscores the importance of bananas in both agricultural and ethnobotanical contexts, representing a significant cultural heritage in regions where they are cultivated and traditionally used.
3) Milk:
Milk is frequently combined with ripe banana for various therapeutic purposes, enhancing the nutritional value of the remedy. It serves both as a carrier for medicinal properties and as an ingredient in traditional recipes that promote health, showcasing the interplay between food and medicine in Indian culture.
4) Salt (Salty):
Salt plays a role in traditional remedies involving bananas, particularly in treatments for digestive complaints or food poisoning. The use of ash from banana plants as an alkaline substitute for salt illustrates the innovative ways communities utilize local resources for health and culinary practices.
5) Coconut (Cocoanut):
Coconut is often paired with banana in traditional dishes, enriching the flavor and nutritional value. It is also part of ceremonial practices, emphasizing the significance of coconut in local customs and rituals, particularly in South Indian kitchens, where both ingredients are staples.
6) Kadali (Kadal墨):
Kadali is a local variety of banana recognized for its unique medicinal properties in traditional practices, especially in Kerala. Its usage in treating menstrual disorders showcases the rich ethnobotanical knowledge surrounding specific banana varieties among local communities and their health-related applications.
7) Water:
Water is essential in various traditional remedies involving bananas, especially when preparing infusions from roots or leaves. The element emphasizes the importance of hydration in health practices and the methods of preparation utilized in folk medicine, demonstrating an understanding of basic health principles.
8) Bitter:
Bitter substances play a role in traditional medicine, often being masked by ripe bananas when administering unpleasant medicines. The banana acts as a palatable vehicle, demonstrating the concept of using foods to facilitate the intake of necessary but distasteful remedies in folk healing practices.
9) Sugar:
Sugar is utilized in confections made with bananas, contributing to their sweetness in culinary practices. Furthermore, its inclusion in dietary recommendations and traditional offerings aligns with the cultural perception of banana as not just food, but as a sweet, nourishing offering during rituals.
10) Honey:
Honey is commonly combined with ripe bananas to enhance their health benefits and flavor. This combination is not only a traditional food pairing but also holds medicinal significance, as honey complements the nutritional profile of banana, promoting digestive health and general well-being.
11) Blood:
Blood is referenced in treatments for conditions like blood dysentery, illustrating the significant role of bananas in managing symptoms of blood-related ailments. The traditional medicinal practices involving bananas demonstrate their importance in supporting overall health, particularly in relation to blood and digestive disorders.
12) Diet:
Diet is a major theme in the use of bananas, which are considered staple foods in many Indian communities. Their incorporation into daily meals and traditional recipes highlights their significance as energy-rich foods that contribute to nutrition and health in various cultural contexts.
13) Ghi (Gh墨, Ghee):
Ghee is often included in traditional recipes involving bananas, enhancing both flavor and nutritional benefits. Its rich profile makes it a common ingredient in offerings and in dishes prepared for ceremonial occasions, showcasing the cultural relevance of combining these foods in Hindu traditions.
14) Mental disorder:
Traditional practices using bananas include remedies for mental disorders, where specific varieties are believed to have medicinal effects. The connection underscores the intersection of food, healing, and spirituality in rural practices, where local flora plays a crucial role in health care strategies.
15) Butter milk (Buttermilk):
Buttermilk is frequently used in conjunction with bananas to create soothing dietary remedies, particularly in cases of digestive distress. This traditional combination reflects the cultural practices surrounding food and health, illustrating local wisdom in dietary management of common ailments.
16) Mustard oil:
Mustard oil is utilized for its soothing properties in traditional applications involving banana leaves, particularly for treating burns and blisters. This use exemplifies holistic health practices where local oils and plants work synergistically for optimal healing in folk medicine.
17) Ayurveda (膧yurveda, Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda's principles are reflected in the medicinal applications of bananas, as they are recognized for their therapeutic benefits. The integration of bananas into Ayurvedic practices showcases the rich legacy of plant-based remedies that continue to influence health traditions in India.
18) Tamarind:
Tamarind is combined with bananas in traditional recipes for treating gastrointestinal issues, highlighting the fusion of flavors in folk medicinal practices. This collaboration of ingredients reflects the cultural significance of local produce in addressing health challenges in an integrative manner.
19) Mustard:
Mustard seeds are sometimes utilized in traditional practices where banana leaves or oil are involved, indicating their role in local medical traditions. These ingredients signify the cultural importance of regional plants in addressing health concerns within folk medicine.
20) Leprosy:
Leprosy is addressed within folk remedies, where banana fruits from specific varieties are believed to possess curative properties. These traditions reflect the deep-rooted cultural knowledge surrounding medicinal plants and their roles in treating historically significant diseases in local communities.
21) Science (Scientific):
The study of folk uses of bananas integrates both traditional knowledge and scientific inquiry. This dual approach highlights the relevance of ethnobotany in understanding the efficacy of plants in folk medicine, bridging cultural practices with contemporary scientific methodologies.
22) Malaya (M膩laya):
Malaya is recognized as one of the centers of origin for bananas, establishing its importance in the historical cultivation and biodiversity of the species. This geographical reference illustrates the spread and adaptation of banana cultivation across various tropical regions.
23) Vaidya:
Vaidya refers to the traditional village physicians who play a critical role in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Their knowledge of plants like bananas and their healing properties reflects the valuable integration of folk medicine into the wider health care practices of Indian communities.
24) Sharman (艢arma, Sarm膩, Sarma, Sharma, 艢arman):
Sharma, being one of the authors, represents the academic exploration of traditional knowledge regarding banana uses. Their contributions are crucial for documenting and understanding the folk practices that link cultural heritage with health care methodologies.
25) Roman (Roma):
Roman references to bananas, particularly through writers like Pliny, underscore the historical significance of this fruit in ancient cultures. This acknowledgment reflects the widespread appreciation and utilization of bananas, extending beyond Indian traditions to the larger context of ancient civilizations.
26) Ulcer:
Ulcers are addressed within the traditional medicinal uses of bananas, where their soothing properties are leveraged to promote healing. This illustrates the value of bananas in folk remedies aimed at managing specific health conditions, aligning with practices that seek to use readily available plant resources.
27) Anger (Angry):
Angry references in the context of folk beliefs surrounding snakebites highlight the cultural narratives associated with plant use. The traditional knowledge related to bananas illustrates the interplay of folklore and medicine in addressing critical health issues, reflecting local wisdom.
28) Cina (C墨na, C墨n膩, Ci峁塧, Ci峁壞�, C墨峁壞�, Cin膩):
China is noteworthy in the historical context of the banana's spread and adaptation. It represents the broader cultural significance and the relevance of bananas in global diets and medicinal practices, emphasizing their agricultural and ethnobotanical importance.
29) Pala (Pal膩, P膩la):
Pala is a term that links the banana fruit to ancient Roman literature, showcasing its long-standing cultural significance. This reference highlights the historical context of bananas from ancient India to Rome, reflecting its esteemed place in various civilizations.
30) Rice (峁歝e):
Rice is often paired with bananas in traditional cuisine, showcasing a commonality in dietary practices. This combination underscores the significance of staple foods in Indian households and their roles in nutritional health and cultural traditions.
31) Meat:
Meat, while not directly associated with bananas, represents the broader context of dietary practices in which bananas are often included. Their use alongside more significant protein sources symbolizes the diverse culinary practices and the integral role of bananas in various diets.
32) Sage:
Sage traditionally connotes wisdom, correlating with the historical narrative of bananas being referred to as the 'fruit of the wise.' This symbolic connection illustrates how certain plants are imbued with cultural significance, reflecting the amalgamation of knowledge and nature.
33) Drug:
Drug refers to the use of bananas in folk medicine as effective remedies for various ailments, framing the banana not just as food but also as a crucial therapeutic agent. This dual role emphasizes the banana's significance in health practices within local traditions.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�Folk uses of plantain (Musa x paradisiaca var. sapientum) in India.鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents: