Kadali
Musa paradisiaca L.
Kadali (Musa paradisiaca L.) is a plant drug, also called Ambusara, Mouca and Rambha, from the Musaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants specifically; recognized by FAO/WHO as a major staple food crop; banana stem and unripe fruit referenced in traditional pharmacopoeias of India and Southeast Asia.
| Botanical name | Musa paradisiaca L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Musaceae |
| Order | Zingiberales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs on medicinal plants specifically; recognized by FAO/WHO as a major staple food crop; banana stem and unripe fruit referenced in traditional pharmacopoeias of India and Southeast Asia |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2762752 · NCBI Taxonomy 89151 |
| Sanskrit | Ambusara, Mouca, Rambha, Varana |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Kela |
| English | Banana |
| Tamil | Pazham, Vazhai |
| Malayalam | Kadali, Ksetrak, Vazha |
| Telugu | Arati chettu, Arati Gadda |
| Kannada | Bale Gadde, Kadali, Kadubale, Kattebale |
| Marathi | Kel |
| Bengali | Kanch Kala, Kela, Kodali |
| Gujarati | Kela |
| Urdu | Kela (Mouz) |
| Punjabi | Kela |
| Oriya | Kadali |
| Assamese | Kal, Talha |
Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed). How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2017 to 2026, every one with a DOI.
- 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 4Other clinical studies and reviews
- 6Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Banana |
| Latin/Botanical | Musa paradisiaca L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Sitoindoside IV
- Stigmasterol
- Beta-sitosterol
- Cycloeucalenone
- 24-Methylene-cycloartanol
- Leucocyanidin
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Norepinephrine
- Pectin
How does it work?
- Sitoindoside IV (acylsteryl glycoside from unripe fruit) exhibits anti-ulcerogenic activity by stimulating mucus secretion, strengthening mucosal barrier, and inhibiting gastric acid-pepsin secretion
- Leucocyanidin and condensed tannins from unripe banana pulp exert antidiarrhoeal effects by reducing intestinal motility and enhancing electrolyte and water reabsorption in the colon
- Phytosterols (stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol) reduce plasma cholesterol through competitive inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption and modulation of hepatic cholesterol metabolism
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Apakva Kadali (unripe banana): traditionally used in Ayurveda for Atisara (diarrhea) and Grahani (IBS). A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in children reported antidiarrhoeal activity.
- Traditionally used for Amlapitta (hyperacidity). A study that isolated sitoindoside IV reported anti-ulcerogenic and gastroprotective effects.
- Anti-urolithiatic activity (kidney stones): animal studies in hyperoxaluric models have reported reduced urinary oxalate excretion.
What do recent studies show?
- Kwok JJN, Chen MK, Ong CW and others 2025. Antidiabetic Potential of Bananas (Musa spp.): A Systematic Review of Bioactive Compounds and Antihyperglycemic Activities. Current nutrition reports. PMID 40011287 · doi:10.1007/s13668-025-00629-0
Systematic review documented that bioactive compounds across various banana parts demonstrate significant antihyperglycemic activities through multiple mechanisms. - Gallo Ruelas M, Gomez-Herrera GP, Noa-Peralta KF and others 2024. Role of green banana consumption in the treatment of acute and persistent diarrhea in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European journal of pediatrics. PMID 38972965 · doi:10.1007/s00431-024-05679-0
Meta-analysis of RCTs confirmed green banana reduces duration and severity of both acute and persistent diarrhea in children, providing high-level evidence for this traditional use.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Banana is widely consumed as a staple food globally; GRAS status for food consumption with excellent safety profile
- High potassium content requires caution in patients with hyperkalemia or chronic kidney disease; may interact with potassium-sparing diuretics and ACE inhibitors
- Latex allergy cross-reactivity exists (banana-latex-avocado syndrome); individuals with latex allergy should be cautioned about potential allergic reactions to banana
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (stem juice), Churna (flower/unripe fruit powder), Capsule, Kshara (alkali preparation), Bhasma (ash preparation)
Standard Dosage: 20-40ml stem juice twice daily; 3-6g flower/fruit powder; 1-2g Kshara with water
Optimal Timing: Traditionally, stem juice is taken in the morning on an empty stomach for renal calculi, and flower powder is taken with buttermilk for menstrual complaints. Unripe fruit: as part of meals.
Storage: Fresh preparations: refrigerate and use within 24 hours. Dried preparations: cool, dry place below 25°C. Kshara: airtight, moisture-proof containers.
Marker Compounds: Leucocyanidin, Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Gallic acid, Potassium content (mineral assay), Resistant starch (in unripe fruit)
Synergistic Combinations
- Traditionally combined with Gokshura for kidney stones (stem juice)
- Traditionally combined with Varuna for urinary calculi
- With Amalaki for gastric ulcer support
- With Yashtimadhu for mucosal protection
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.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2
- 2025. Antidiabetic Potential of Bananas (Musa spp.): A Systematic Review of Bioactive Compounds and Antihyperglycemic ActivitiesCurrent nutrition reports. PMID 40011287 · doi:10.1007/s13668-025-00629-0
- 2024. Role of green banana consumption in the treatment of acute and persistent diarrhea in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsEuropean journal of pediatrics. PMID 38972965 · doi:10.1007/s00431-024-05679-0
Other clinical studies and reviews4
- 2026. Composition, Functionality, and Use of Plantain Peel (Musa paradisiaca): A Scoping ReviewFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41976427 · doi:10.3390/foods15071133
- 2025. A Comparative Study of Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Attributes of Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiacaChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 40638915 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202500841
- 2021. Botanical treatments for snakebite in rural Ghana: A narrative reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34274442 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114432
- 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 studies6
- 2025. Influence of Core Starch and Lignocellulosic Fibers from Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) Pseudostem on the Development of Thermoplastic Starches and Biobased Composite MaterialsPolymers. PMID 40219250 · doi:10.3390/polym17070859
- 2024. Effect of Musa Paradisiaca Stem Juice on Acute Status Epilepticus, Hippocampal Histology and Behaviour in Rats with Pentylenetetrazole-Induced SeizuresNigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria. PMID 40156796 · doi:10.54548/njps.v39i2.16
- 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
- 2024. Musa paradisiaca L. peel extract-bioinspired anisotropic nano-silver with the multipurpose of hydrogenation eco-catalyst and antimicrobial resistanceHeliyon. PMID 39229509 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36037
- 2023. Biological and Chemical Characterization of Musa paradisiaca LeachateBiology. PMID 37887036 · doi:10.3390/biology12101326
- 2022. Development and Characterization of Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Flour-Based Biopolymer Films Reinforced with Plantain FibersPolymers. PMID 35215661 · doi:10.3390/polym14040748
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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