MGOMBA (Banana Tree) KWA KUKINGA NA KUTIBU MAGONJWA NDANI YA MIILI YETU

MEDICINAL USE:

The root:

• As a tonic for congestion of the liver and to prevent or cure scurvy.
• Prescribed for glandular disease, venereal disease, anemia and disorders of the blood and diarrhea.

The stem:

• Ulcer.
• Quenches thirst in cholera.
• In nervous disorders, hysteria, diarrhea, dysentery and jaundice.
• As an antidote to opium poisoning.
• Stops bleeding of wounds and cuts.
• Asthma.
• Inflamed kidneys.
• Checks hair loss.
• Treatment of piles.

The leaves:

• Are useful remedies in severe inflammation of the eye and other eye diseases.
• Heals wounds and ulcers.
• Makes a cool dressing for headaches.
• Refreshing when applied on blisters or inflamed surfaces.

The flowers:

• Checks excessive bleeding during menstruation.
• Diabetes.
• Good for earaches.

The fruit:

• Diabetes, spitting of blood, diarrhea, indigestion, flatulence and accumulation of acid in the body.
• Prevents or cures scurvy, soothes and protects the alimentary tract.
• Promotes the flow of urine.
• Gentle laxative.
• Relieves sore throat and congestion of the chest, accompanied by cough.
• Indigestion and dysentery.
• Anemia.
• Also cures inflamed colon and diseases of  the rectum.

HOW TO USE:

• The juice extracted from the root is used as tonic for congestion of the liver and to prevent or cure scurvy when mixed with a small quantity of pure honey. It is used in the case of inflamed mucous membranes of the urethra and vagina. Also prescribed for glandular disease.
• A cold infusion of the root is recommended for venereal disease, anemia and disorders of the blood. Enema of the same infusions is given in diarrhea.
• The ash of the banana plant or stem is useful for ulcers.
• The extracted juice of the plant quenches thirst in cholera. The same juice is given in nervous disorders, hysteria, diarrhea, jaundice and dysentery. It is an antidote to opium poisoning. It is also applied on wounds and cuts to check bleeding.
• The pounded heart(pith) of the plant is used as a poultice for ulcers and burns.
• When the plant is about 1metre high, it is rooted out, and the whole plant is baked in the oven. The juice is pressed out and mixed with pure honey to cure asthma. Use one cupful a day.
• For the treatment of tuberculosis, the juice is extracted from the trunk by crushing the chopped plant. It is to be strained and five little cups are to be taken a day. It is also recommended for inflamed kidneys and is good solution for falling hair. In compresses, it is good for piles.
• The green leaves make a useful remedy for inflamed eyes and other eye diseases. Coated with bland oil, the leaves are applied to wounds and ulcers. The young leaves are recommended as a cool dressing for headaches. In blisters or inflamed surface, the leaves are applied over it.
• The juice of the flowers is given in menstrual problems. The cooked flowers are eaten in case of diabetes. The sap of the flower is used for earache.
• The unripe banana is a good article in the diet for those who suffer from diabetes and spitting of blood. In  the form of dried powder, the green banana is recommended for diarrhea. It also prevents or cures scurvy. In case of indigestion, flatulence and accumulation of acid in the body, this powder is used with good result.
• The ripe fruit too prevents or cures scurvy, soothes and protects the alimentary tract, relieves inflammation, promotes flow of urine, and is a gentle laxative. It is eaten to relieve sore throat and chest congestion accompanied by cough. The ripe fruit, eaten alone, is laxative. It is also given in irritability of the bladder.
• In cases of anemia, the banana is a special food which is helpful in cases of weakness and general loss of strengthen. For this, use 2 bananas the first day, 3 bananas the second day,4 on the thirds day, 5 on the fourth day and so on until the 15^thday. Then, the quantity can be reduced by 2 bananas a day until the amount of 2 fruits for a day is reached. The ripe banana is used with good results in inflamed colon and diseases of the rectum.

PARTS USED:

The whole plant.

DOSE:

 As indicated above.

Normal Dosage

For Fresh herb or plant twenty grams are used for one liter of water. if a dried herb are used the amount of plant material should ten grams

For Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day

       Children: Aged 10 to 15 years 3 to 4 cups a day

                      Aged 6 to 9 years 2 cups a day

                      Aged 2 to 5 years 1 cups a day

                      1 to 2 years: 1/2 cups a day

                      Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day