Health Benefits of Banana Flower

Banana flower is an inherent to Andes Mountains of Colombia. The flower is large which grows from the end of the bunch of bananas and has a dark purple red blossom. The small flowers would be found on the inside part which would turn into the banana. It is starchy and bitter in taste. It is rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A and can reduce the pains. It is included in the diet as the vegetable. The hard husk is found outside of the mature flower. It is also used as an ingredient for noodles and soup. In some countries, it is served as a salad. The fresh banana flowers are eaten raw. In order to avoid the liquid which can leave stains, one should use gloves to cook.

History

The South East Asians were the first peoples known to cultivate banana plants. In Malaysia the prepared blossoms as well as immature green fruits are combined and cooked into a curry.  The Indonesians slice the fruit and simmer it in coconut milk then serve it as a vegetable. Nowadays Many Asian cultures eat banana blossoms. Blossoms are available fresh (preferred) or canned in Asian grocery stores.

Health Benefits of Banana Flower

The banana flower serves the health benefits which are as follows:

1. Curing the infection

The banana flower has ability to treat infection because it possesses ethanol flowers which helps to prevent the pathogenic bacterial growth. It can cure the wound as well. The extracts of banana flower helps to prevent the growth of malaria parasites.

2. Overcoming diabetes and anemia

The diabetic patients should consume banana flowers either boiled or alone so that it reduces the level of blood sugar and raise the hemoglobin in the body as it is rich in fiber and iron which assists in red blood cell production. The pan should be heated with the oil and put mustard seeds till it crackles, then ½ tsp. of urad dal and channa dal should be added frying till it is brown and then 1/8 cup of cut shallots and curry leaves should be added. The banana flowers which are cut should be added with a tsp. of sambar powder, ¼ tsp. of turmeric powder and salt. Then it should be cooked by covering. Then it should be fried in a low flame so that the water evaporates fully then a tbsp. of fresh coconut scrapings should be added and switch off. It works a great for diabetic patients.

3. Improves lactation

The breast milk supply is increased for the lactating mothers. It helps to cure the excessive bleeding, maintains healthy uterus, restrict constipation during pregnancy and promotes lactation. It should be combined with other spices to make the good taste. The fresh one should be selected. The recipe for Indian pancakes or adai or dosai is firstly, 1 cup of rice should be soaked with 1 tbsp. moong dhal, 2 tbsp. urad dhal, 1 tbsp. channa dhal and ¼ cup toor dhal for overnight. The next day, 2 red chillies should be grind with little Coconut, small piece of Asafoetida, a tsp. of Cumin seeds which should be added to the dal grind after soaking overnight, with required salt. The cleaned banana flower which is cut should be fried in a little oil and then add to the batter in order to make dosais. This is high in fiber which helps to eliminate pregnancy constipation.

4. Reduce Free Radical Activity

The free radicals lead to various problems. The antioxidant property is possessed in the banana flower. It also treats the health problems like cancer and premature aging. It should be included in health supplements in order to make the full use of antioxidant properties.

5. Menstrual problems and weight loss

It increases progesterone which helps to reduce the excessive bleeding. ¼ cup of banana flower should be cooked in a little water and salt till it is completely cooked. After it is cooled, in ¼ cup coconut, 2 g. chilies, ½ tsp. cumin seeds should be added to make a thick and fine taste. The coconut mixture should be added to the thick yogurt with the cooked banana flowers and required salt. Excess bleeding could be treated if this is eaten with rice. As it is rich in fiber and nutrients, it results in weight loss. It soothes the stomach as well. For weight loss, the banana flowers should be added to the salads and soups.

6. Rich source of Vitamin and minerals

The banana flowers possess the Vitamin C, A, E, fiber and potassium which are the sources of healthy nutrient.

7. Boost Mood and Reduce Anxiety

It improves the mood and lessens anxiety due to the magnesium present in banana flowers. They serve as anti-depressants without side effects.

8. Anti-ageing power

It helps to encounter the free radicals and cure the health issues related to it such as cancer and early aging.

9. Healthy uterus

It helps to prevent from the uterus problems. To boost the healthy uterus, the banana flowers should be added with turmeric powder, peppercorns and cumin seeds. The banana flowers should be boiled with minor peppercorns and cumin seeds; ¼ tsp. of turmeric powder and salt till it is half. The uterus problems are eliminated by drinking this decoction.

10. Gastrointestinal health

Banana flowers are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber. A soluble fiber allows the food to pass easily through the digestive tract as it dissolves in water and forms a gel. Insoluble fiber assist the bulk to undigested products as it is not dissolved in water. Both of it boost the healthy digestion and absorption of food.

11. Cancer and Heart disease

Banana flowers are high source of tannins, acids, flavonoids and other antioxidants which helps to counteract free radicals and eliminates the oxidative damage which leads to cancer and heart disease. The banana flower can prevent these conditions.

12. Neural disorders

The free radicals may cause Alzheimer and Parkinson’s disease which may be prevented by consuming banana flowers regularly.

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How to select

The firm and fresh flower should be purchased. It should be free from the cuts and blemishes, smooth appearance and bright. The overlapping of outer leaves should be tight.

How to store

Fresh one should be used. It should be wrapped in transparent plastic, cover in zip lock bags and store it in a refrigerator.

Traditional uses and benefits of banana flower

• Flower is used as a traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, constipation, menstrual cramps and ulcer problems.
• It boosts mood and reduces the anxiety because the banana flowers are having high levels of magnesium.
• It regulates the blood pressure.
• Consuming of cooked banana flower with curd is most efficient way to treat the excessive bleeding during menstruation.
• It reduces the bleeding associated with menorrhagia.
• It lowers the blood cholesterol, and promotes the functional efficiency of kidneys.

How to Cut and Clean Banana Flower

To fully benefit from the health-promoting properties of banana flower, it is important that you know how to cut and clean it properly. Only then can this food be of real help to you! Therefore, have a look at the related aspects.

• First, smear some mustard oil on the palms to prevent them from getting discolored while you peel you the flower.
• Slowly take out each bract and gather the tiny florets.
• Continue doing so till you touch the innermost portion where, you will notice a bulb of yellow shade.
• Now take each floret and remove its transparent covering as well as the tiny-sized head.
• Then cut all the florets into small pieces.
• Move the floret pieces into a container having water.
• Put 1 tbsp of yogurt and ½ tsp salt in the container. This will minimize the extent to which the banana flower gets oxidized.
• You can now cook the banana flower.

Culinary uses

• • It can be simply chopped and used in salads.
  • It can also be added to spinach salads.
  • Banana flowers can be used in soups or sliced and added to stir-fries.
  • In Thailand banana flower is almost always served raw on the side with pad thai.
  • In Indonesian cuisine, banana flowers are mixed with pork and a hot sambal, cooked in a section of bamboo and served at their festivals or wakes.
  • It is also served simmered in soup or fried with thin noodles.
  • Other Asian and Indian cuisines add the sliced banana flower to meat stews, stir-fries, soups, and rice or noodle combinations.
  • It is also used in cold salads, with the salad mixture presented to the diner in one of the large purple-red outer bracts.
  • In the Philippines banana flowers are the main ingredient in linabog or labog, a dish made with coconut milk, spices and dried fish.

Recipe

Banana Blossom Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 banana blossoms
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 spring onion cut fine
• 500 grams shelled and cooked prawns
• 5 tablespoons of roasted almonds or assorted nuts
• 1 teaspoon sour lime juice or even lemon
• Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Core and cube the banana flowers as well as immerse them overnight within a bowl of water that consists of a tablespoon of vinegar. Clean and trench well.
2. Cook the prawns within the butter together with a pinch of pepper and salt.
3. Grind the nuts indelicately so that it forms a lumpy mix not an even paste.
4. Include all the components into a bowl and toss for a minute or even two.
5. Chill for 30 minutes and after that garnish along with a mint sprig and serve.

Banana Flower Facts

The banana flower is also known as a banana blossom or a banana heart and it is a drop-shaped purple flower that hangs at the end of a cluster of bananas. Considered an Asian or tropical vegetable, it has a deep crimson color and consists of tightly packed leaves or bracts that wrap around rows of thin stemmed male flowers. It is the inner pale colored bracts that are used for food dishes. Banana flowers can be sliced and served in meat stews, soups, rice or noodle dishes, and cooked vegetable dishes.

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