Family Rutaceae.
426 Musa paradisiaca Linn.
Habitat Cultivated in Tamil Nadu; Maharashtra and North India.
English Curry-Leaf tree.
Ayurvedic Surabhini-nimba.
Unani Karipattaa.
Siddha/Tamil Karuveppilei,
Karivempu, Kattuveppilei.
Folk Mithaa Neem, Kathneem, Gandhela, Barsanga.
Action Leaf—stomachic, antiprotozoal, spasmolytic; promotes appetite and digestion, destroys pathogenic organism, antidysenteric. Externally, used against skin eruptions.
3All parts of the plant, especially the leaves, are rich in carbazole alkaloids (several carbazole bases have been isolated). The leaves also gave a coumarin glucoside, scopolin.
The beta-carotene content of curry leaves was found decreased on cooking; deep frying resulted in maximum loss.
Inclusion of curry leaves in the diet of diabetic patients reduced the blood glucose level appreciably (it did not produce any insulin response).
The steam distillate of the leaves is reported to exhibit antifungal and insecticidal activities.
The ethanolic extract of the stem bark showed anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats.
Musa paradisiaca Linn.
Synonym M. Sapientum Linn.
Habitat Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jalgaon district (Maharashtra), West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
English Banana, Plantain.
Ayurvedic Kadali, Rambhaa, Sakrtphala, Vaaranaa, Mochaa, Ambusaara, Anshumatiphal.
Unani Kelaa, Mouz.
Siddha/Tamil Vaazhai.
Action Fruit—mild laxative, combats diarrhoea and dysentery, promotes healing of intestinal lesions in ulcerative colitis. Unripe fruit considered useful in diabetes. Fruit powder—used as a food supplement in sprue and other intestinal disorders. Root— anthelmintic.
