The origin of banana flower comes from Colombia’s Andes Mountains. It is a large flower that grows on a bunch of banana with a dark red blossom.
Later, this flower turns into a banana. It has a starchy and a bitter taste, loaded with Vitamin A, C, which can release pains. You can include it as a vegetable, noodles or soup in your diet. Even though, it can be served as a salad in some countries. The liquid from fresh banana flower can leave some stains so when eating them fresh, use gloves.
Why is Banana Flower Beneficial for the Overall Health?
A banana flower can treat many issues, including:
1. Cures Infection
It is rich in ethanol, a substance that prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria as well as parasites that cause malaria. Its healing properties cure wounds for a short period of time.
2. Fights Anemia and Diabetes
It is suggested that diabetic people should include banana flowers in their diet, in a raw or boiled state because it lowers the blood sugar level, raises the hemoglobin and the high amount of iron and fiber stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Heat a pan with oil and add mustard seeds until it crackles. Add half a teaspoon of channa dal and urad dal. When brown, add curry leaves and a nearly full cup of cut shallots. Add them with a teaspoon of a ¼ tablespoon of turmeric powder, salt, and sambar powder. Cook it by covering and then fry it on a low heat. When it has evaporated fully, add coconut scrapings and switch off the heat.
3. Stimulates Lactation
This flower cures excessive bleeding protects the uterus, and the most important stimulate lactation. You should always choose the fresh banana flowers and you can combine it with some spices for a better taste.
Recipe for Indian type of Pancakes (dosai or adai):
Take some rice and soak it overnight with 1 tbsp. channa dhal, 1 tbs. moong dhal, 2 tbsp. urad dhal and ¼ cup toor dhal. The following day, grind two red chilies, one little coconut, 1 Tsp. cumin seeds, small asafetida with the needed quantity of salt. Cut the banana flower into pieces and fry it in a small amount of oil. Combine all of the ingredients altogether to make a dosais. The high amount of fiber will remove constipation in pregnancy.
4. Reduces the Activity of Free Radicals
Free radicals cause different types of health issues. Banana flower is loaded with antioxidants that treat many health problems such as premature aging or cancer. For an optimal use of the antioxidants, it needs to be inserted in many health supplements.
5. Stimulates Weight Loss and Releases Menstrual Problems
By increasing the levels of progesterone, the excessive level of bleeding is reduced. For this reason, cook a ¼ cup of the chopped banana flower with little water and salt. When cooked, leave it to cool down. Afterwards, ½ Tsp. cumin seeds, add ¼ cup coconut, and 2g chilies and make a fine and thick taste. If you eat this combination with rice, you can stop the excessive bleeding. The high number of nutrients and fiber can also help you lose weight, especially when added to salads and soups.
6. High in Vitamins and Minerals
It is loaded with many healthy nutrients including Vitamin A, C, E, potassium, and fiber.
7. Lifts Mood and Reduces Anxiety
It contains magnesium that boosts your mood and reduces the level of anxiety. It is a powerful anti-depressant without any negative effects.
8. Anti-aging features
The banana flower fights free radicals and reduces the risk of early aging and cancer.
9. Protected and Healthy Uterus
Banana flowers prevent any types of uterus problems. For a healthy uterus, combine turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and peppercorns. First, boil them with the cumin seeds and peppercorns, salt and ¼ tsp. of turmeric. Drink this mixture and protect your uterus.
10. Prevents Heart Disease and Cancer
Banana flower is an important source of acids, flavonoids, tannins and many other antioxidants that fight free radicals and remove the oxidative damage that causes heart disease or even cancer.
11. Neural Disorders
If consumed on a regular basis, banana flowers can remove the free radicals that cause Parkinson and Alzheimer’s disease.
12. Prevent Gastrointestinal Diseases
They are high in insoluble and soluble fiber. The soluble fiber enables the food to flow easily in the process of digestion, dissolves it in water and forms a gel. An insoluble fiber is not dissolved in water and helps the undigested products.
However, both of them have an important role in the process of absorption of food and digestion.
Which banana flower is the best?
Always buy the fresh and firm flower, without any cuts and blemishes. Choose the smooth and bright one with tight overlapping of the outer leaves.
Culinary uses
- The Thailand cuisine claims that the banana flower should be sliced and served raw. It is called Nam Prik and it is always accompanied with a hot and spicy dip.
- According to the South Indian recipe, the sliced banana altogether with salt should be steamed, softened with mustard seeds, asafetida, curry leaves and in the end topped with grated coconut.
- The Asian and Indian cuisines suggest chopped banana flower with stir-fries, soups, rice and meat stews.
- It could be also used in cold salads.
Storage:
Always try to use fresh banana flowers. If not, wrap them in plastic, covered in lock bags and then stored in the fridge.
Recipe for Banana Blossom Salad
- two blossoms of banana
- one tsp. of butter
- one spring onion
- 500g cooked prawns
- five Tsps. Roasted almonds or nuts
- one tsp. lemon or sour lime juice
- Pepper and salt
Chop the banana flowers and leave them in a bowl of water and vinegar overnight. Clean them well. Then cook the prawns with a butter, salt and pepper. Grind the nuts but be careful not to make a paste. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and them toss for a minute. Chill it for half an hour and then serve it with a mint sprig.
