Banaba (lagerstroemia speciosa)
Synopsis of banaba
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a tropical flowering tree native to Southeast Asia and the Philippines, widely used in traditional and modern herbal medicine for its powerful effects on blood sugar regulation, metabolic health, and weight management. The leaves of the banaba tree are the primary medicinal part and are rich in corosolic acid, ellagitannins, lagerstroemin, and flavonoids, which contribute to its hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Banaba is best known for its ability to:
- Lower blood glucose levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity
- Improve glucose uptake into cells, mimicking some of insulin’s actions
- Reduce postprandial blood sugar spikes
- Support weight loss and fat metabolism
- Provide antioxidant protection to reduce cellular stress
In integrative and functional medicine, banaba leaf extract is often used as a natural adjunct for prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Some studies have also suggested benefits for lipid profiles and blood pressure regulation. It is typically consumed in capsule, tea, or extract form, often standardized to 1–2% corosolic acid for consistent potency.
Historical Use:
Banaba has been used for centuries in Filipino, Indian, and Southeast Asian folk medicine. In the Philippines, banaba tea made from dried leaves has been a traditional remedy for diabetes, urinary disorders, and kidney cleansing. It was often given to individuals with frequent urination, sugar in the urine, or unexplained weight gain, indicating an early understanding of its role in blood sugar regulation.
In Ayurvedic medicine, banaba is used as part of prameha (diabetes) treatment protocols, where it supports glucose metabolism, fluid balance, and liver function. The leaves are considered cooling, detoxifying, and mildly astringent, aligning with its modern use in managing metabolic inflammation and excess.
Beyond blood sugar support, traditional practices have used banaba leaves to address urinary tract infections, gout, hypertension, and weight control. The bark and flowers have also been used occasionally, though less commonly than the leaves.
Today, banaba is recognized globally as a plant-based solution for metabolic wellness, offering a time-tested and scientifically supported approach to managing blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and oxidative stress. It remains a popular ingredient in glucose support formulas, weight-loss supplements, and functional teas, bridging traditional herbal wisdom with modern metabolic health science.
Banaba is used for these health conditions
Cholesterol (high) (Traditional)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Fatty Liver Disease (Scientific)
Hypertension (Traditional)
Metabolic Syndrome (Scientific)
Triglycerides (high) (Scientific)
banaba is used to support these body systems
Blood (Scientific)
Pancreas Head (Scientific)
Products containing banaba
Nature's Sunshine Cortisol Formula (Nature's Cortisol Formula)
Nature's Sunshine SugarReg