Bananas are not only a delicious food loved by everyone from babies to the elderly, they are also a great source of cancer fighting antioxidants.

Banana is a large herbaceous flowering plant known as kadali in sanskrit  native to India and South east Asia . One of the most affordable fruit in the marketplace,  this  has a rare combination of energy value, tissue, building elements, protein, vitamins and minerals.  Banana can be found year round nearly everywhere in the world. They are high in fibre yet low in calories. They are considered healthy workout snack due to their natural sugars providing quick energy and potassium aiding muscle function preventing muscle spasms.
This plant is indigenous in East Himalayas up to 4000 ft. and is cultivated by India in abundance.
Banana grows in rich,  fertile  soil and a  sunny, sheltered location and requires ample water. Each  stem  only  produces  flowers  and fruits once, so the active stem must be cut away to allow new suckers to emerge.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.
Ripe Vs Unripe Banana 
Ripe Banana  
•    Easy to digest 
•    Much sweeter 
•    Low  micronutrient
•    Higher antioxidants levels
Unripe Banana  
•    Lower sugar content 
•    Lower antioxidant level 
•    Helps to feel fuller for longer
•    Contain high amount of micro nutrients 
Precautions
Ancient Acharyas mentioned that banana should not be taken with milk and yoghurt.  Any liquid should be avoided within an hour of eating banana. 
Useful part
Fruit, flowers , leaves,  stem  and root.
12 BANANA BENEFITS
1.    Heavy menstrual bleeding
Vegetable prepared from flowers are used in bleeding disorders.
2.    Leucorrhoea
Ripe fruit of banana  mixed with juice of amalki and jaggery is given .
3.    Arthritis
Regular consumption of banana relieves arthritis.
4.    Cracked heel
Apply mashed banana to the cracked area.
5.    Allergies
Insert 2-3 long pepper fruits into a peeled ripe banana ,keep it overnight and eat in the morning. Follow an hour later with one cup of honey water.
6.    Burning urination
Eat one or two banana with a pinch of cumin as a between snack meal.
7.    Warts
Take a piece of banana skin. Place it over wart, with yellow side out and carefully hold the skin in place with plaster or surgical tape
8.    Ulcerative colitis
Banana is one of the few fruits that patients of ulcerative colitis can consume safely. Eating mashed banana with isabgol regularly helps improving ulceration. 
9.    Anemia
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood. Consuming banana shake with paste of dates and raisins helps boosting heamoglobin level. 
10.    Hair loss
An expressed juice of the trunk’s juice can be used to massage the scalp to promote healthy growth of hair and prevent hair loss.
11.    Morning sickness
Snacking on bananas chips alleviates   morning sickness.
12.    Anti-wrinkle
Mash 1/4th banana till it becomes a smooth paste. Cover the face with it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with warm water
RECIPES
1.    Banana Spinach Smoothie
Take 1 ripe banana, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, ½ cup yogurt and ½ cup orange juice. In a blender, combine the banana slices, spinach leaves, yogurt and orange juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately.
2.    Banana Oatmeal
Take 1 ripe banana, ½ cup rolled oats and 1 cup cow’s milk. Mash the ripe banana in a bowl and combine with rolled oats and milk. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy.
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