Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a type of crepe myrtle that grows in India, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia. The leaves are used as medicine.
Banaba might reduce blood sugar and help the body use insulin more efficiently.
People use banaba for prediabetes, diabetes, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Is It Effective?
There is interest in using banaba for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it Safe?
When taken by mouth: Banaba is possibly safe when used short-term. It's been used safely for up to 2 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if banaba is safe to use long-term. Side effects might include dizziness, headache, and upset stomach.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if banaba is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Banaba might affect blood sugar levels and could make blood sugar control more difficult during and after surgery. Stop using banaba at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Banaba might might lower blood sugar levels. Taking banaba along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Banaba might lower blood pressure. Taking banaba along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (Organic anion-transporting polypeptide substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Banaba might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Banaba might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Banaba might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
There are no known interactions with foods.
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of banaba might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Banaba Extract, Banabalean, Corosolic acid, Crape Myrtle, Crepe Myrtle, Extrait de Banaba, Lagerstroemia flos-reginae, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Munchausia speciosa, Myrte de Crêpe, Pride-of-India, Pyinma, Queen's Crape Myrtle.
Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.
© TRC Healthcare 2024. All rights reserved. Use and/or distribution is permitted only pursuant to a valid license or other permission from TRC Healthcare.