Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia speciosa

Common Name:

English: Pride of India
Also, known as: Queen’s flowers, Queen crap myrtle, Pumaruttu, Giant crap myrtle, kadalai, Banaba Extract, Banabalean, Corosolic acid, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle, Extrait de Banaba, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Munchausia speciosa, Myrte de Crêpe, Pride-of-India, Pyinma, Queen's Crape Myrtle.

Habitat: Tropical Himalaya

Origin: India

Harvested: Wild

Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:

Banaba is one of only a few deciduous trees which grow in tropical and subtropical areas of the country. The tree grows small to medium in size approximately 20 meters in height and spread of 10-12 meters with flaky, mottled and smooth bark. The bark is thin and easily injured. The Leaves are oval to elliptic 10-15 cm long 3-5 cm wide. Moreover, the leaves which turned attractively red before falling in winter. The flowers of the tree are with 6 white to purple petals and erect panicles 10-40 cm long. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as medicine and source of materials. It is commonly cultivated in gardens or along the sides of roads for its brightly colored mauve or pink flowers with crinkled petals.

How to use:

Powdered Herb:

There are different ways to use powdered herb.

Food Preparation: You can add powdered herb to any super food herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. This method is also known as "Electuaries".

Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, gives you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.

Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.

Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Banaba Leaves Cut