Kadali Pushpa
Musa paradisiaca L. (inflorescence/flower)
Kadali Pushpa (Musa paradisiaca L. (inflorescence/flower)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Musaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; recognized as an edible floral vegetable in Southeast Asian food traditions; referenced in Ayurvedic texts for Pradarahara (anti-menorrhagic) applications.
| Botanical name | Musa paradisiaca L. (inflorescence/flower) |
|---|---|
| Family | Musaceae |
| Order | Zingiberales |
| Also known as | Kadali Pushpa, KadaliPushpa, Musa paradisiaca L. (inflorescence/flower) |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants; recognized as an edible floral vegetable in Southeast Asian food traditions; referenced in Ayurvedic texts for Pradarahara (anti-menorrhagic) applications |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2762752 · NCBI Taxonomy 89151 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kadali Pushpa |
| Latin/Botanical | Musa paradisiaca L. (inflorescence/flower) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin)
- Quercetin
- Catechin
- Myricetin
- Saponins
- Tannins
- Serotonin
- Umbelliferone
- Beta-sitosterol
- Ascorbic acid
How does it work?
- Anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin) inhibit neutrophil activation through downregulation of TLR4/NF-kB signaling, reducing reactive oxygen species generation and inflammatory cytokine release
- Quercetin and myricetin exert anti-obesity effects by inhibiting adipogenesis through suppression of PPAR-gamma and C/EBP-alpha transcription factors in preadipocytes
- Saponins and tannins reduce postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes in the digestive tract
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Anti-menorrhagic (reducing excessive menstrual bleeding) activity partially validated through traditional use documentation and supported by astringent tannin content and beta-sitosterol effects
- Anti-inflammatory properties validated through in vivo acute lung injury models and in vitro studies, supporting traditional use of banana flower decoction for inflammatory conditions
- Antidiabetic effects supported by alpha-glucosidase inhibition studies, validating traditional use for blood sugar management
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Gadelha FAAF, Cavalcanti RFP, Vieira CID and others 2024. Musa paradisiaca L. Inflorescence Abrogates Neutrophil Activation by Downregulating TLR4/NF-KB Signaling Pathway in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39861071 · doi:10.3390/ph18010008
Banana inflorescence extract reduced neutrophil activation and lung inflammation by downregulating TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway in acute lung injury, demonstrating potent anti-inflammatory potential. - Widoyanti AAE, Chaikong K, Rangsinth P and others 2023. Valorization of Nam Wah Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) Byproducts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: In Vitro and In Silico Studies. Foods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37959074 · doi:10.3390/foods12213955
Banana flower extract showed promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obese effects attributed to significant total phenol content and flavonoid composition.
1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Banana flower is widely consumed as a vegetable in South and Southeast Asian cuisines with long history of safe dietary use
- No significant toxicity concerns reported; traditional culinary preparation (cooking/steaming) is the standard method of consumption
- May have mild uterotonic properties; some traditional practices use banana flower for menstrual regulation - exercise caution during pregnancy
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (flower powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Swarasa (fresh flower juice), Sabzi/food preparation (traditional)
Standard Dosage: 3-6g dried flower powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 10-20ml fresh juice; as food preparation
Bioavailability: Musa paradisiaca inflorescence (banana flower/blossom) contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, saponins, and minerals. Quercetin and catechins from flower show ~5-10% oral bioavailability. Iron and zinc are moderately bioavailable. Fiber content supports local GI action. Traditional cooking of flowers in buttermilk may modulate mineral absorption.
Optimal Timing: With meals (traditional food preparation with buttermilk); supplement form before meals for gynecological benefits
Standardized Extract: Freeze-dried flower powder (premium); hydroalcoholic extract standardized to 2% total flavonoids; aqueous extract per traditional method
Shelf Life: 1 day (fresh flowers); 1.5 years (dried powder); 2 years (freeze-dried powder); 2 years (capsule)
Storage: Fresh: refrigerate, use within 24 hours. Dried preparations: cool, dry place below 25°C in airtight containers. Protect from moisture and light.
Marker Compounds: Quercetin, Catechin, Gallic acid, Umbelliferone, Iron content (mineral assay), Saponins (hemolytic assay)
Extraction Methods
- Fresh juice extraction (cold pressing)
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50) for flavonoid-enriched extract
- Drying at 40-50°C and powdering
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews3
- 2021. Botanical treatments for snakebite in rural Ghana: A narrative reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34274442 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114432
- 2021. A review of (137)Cs and (40)K soil-to-plant transfer factors in tropical plantsJournal of environmental radioactivity. PMID 34058642 · doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106650
- 2017. Antiurolithiatic and antioxidant efficacy of Musa paradisiaca pseudostem on ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in ratIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 28458427 · doi:10.4103/0253-7613.201026
Laboratory and animal studies9
- 2024. Musa paradisiaca L. Inflorescence Abrogates Neutrophil Activation by Downregulating TLR4/NF-KB Signaling Pathway in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury ModelPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39861071 · doi:10.3390/ph18010008
- 2024. Metabolomics and in-vitro bioactivities studies of fermented Musa paradisiaca pulp: A potential alpha-amylase inhibitorHeliyon. PMID 38317983 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24659
- 2023. Valorization of Nam Wah Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) Byproducts as a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: In Vitro and In Silico StudiesFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37959074 · doi:10.3390/foods12213955
- 2023. Biological and Chemical Characterization of Musa paradisiaca LeachateBiology. PMID 37887036 · doi:10.3390/biology12101326
- 2023. Nutritional composition and in vitro digestibility of two Plantain Cultivars (Musa Paradisiaca spp.) in Puerto RicoHeliyon. PMID 37539198 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17563
- 2022. PSFD-Musa: A dataset of banana plant, stem, fruit, leaf, and diseaseData in brief. PMID 35859788 · doi:10.1016/j.dib.2022.108427
- 2022. Development and Characterization of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Flour-Based Biopolymer Films Reinforced with Plantain FibersPolymers. PMID 35215661 · doi:10.3390/polym14040748
- 2021. Extract and fraction of Musa paradisiaca flower have osteogenic effect and prevent ovariectomy induced osteopeniaPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 34662767 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153750
- 2021. Modification of banana starch (Musa paradisiaca L.) with polyethylene terephthalate: Virgin and bottle wasteCarbohydrate research. PMID 34280805 · doi:10.1016/j.carres.2021.108401
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