English/ Common name-Banana Plant
Local name- ಬಾಳೆಹಣ್ಣು
Botanical name- Musa sapientum
Appearance- The banana plant is the largest herbaceous flowering plant, bananas have a false stem which is made by the lower parts of the leaves. The plant grows 2 to 8 meters tall. It is able to produce a single bunch of bananas, after fruiting the pseudostem dies and is replaced. When most bananas are ripe, they turn yellow or sometimes red. Unripe bananas are green.
Origin- Bananas originated in southeast Asia and the south pacific around 8000 to 5000 BC. Bananas are believed to have been the world's first cultivated fruit. From southeast Asia, the fruit was brought west by Arab conquerors and then carried to the new world by explorers.
Conditions required for growth- Banana plants do best in protected areas because they are susceptible to wind damage. The average temperature of 27oC (81oF) and full sun are also beneficial for optimum plant development and yields. The optimum conditions for ripening bananas are at temperatures of 20-21oC (68-70oF) and 90% relative humidity.
Uses- Banana leaves can be used for natural leaf platters. Steamed banana leaves for packing lunch. Steamed banana leaves to make wrapped desserts. Sweet bananas are edible. All parts of the banana plant have medicinal applications: the flowers in bronchitis and dysentery and on ulcers; cooked flowers are given to diabetics; the astringent plant sap in cases of hysteria, epilepsy, leprosy, fevers, hemorrhages, acute dysentery, and diarrhea, and it is applied on hemorrhoids, insect and other stings and bites;
Common remedies-
Bananas contain silica, a mineral element that helps your body to synthesize collagen (protein in our body) and make hair stronger and thicker. It also has antimicrobial properties that treat dry scalp, relieving dandruff symptoms.
- For dandruff-free hair (Part of the tree used - Fruit ): Take (2-3 bananas) Scoop the inner layer from the peel. Mix along with 2 tbsp coconut milk until a paste is formed. Add 1 tsp of coconut oil and rose water to the paste. Stir the paste well with 1 tsp curd. Apply the paste thoroughly on the scalp and hair. Let the mask remain for about 15-20 min before you rinse it out.
