Laphu




Laphu - Manipur Medicinal Plants

Common Name

English :Edible banana
Hindi :Kala
Manipuri :Laphu

Scientific Name

Group :Angiosperm (Monocotyledon)
Family :Musaceae
Genus :Musa
Species :paradisiaca  Linn.
Habit :Tall robust herb
Parts Used :Whole plant
Mode of Preparation :Tender stem, inflorescence (laphutharo) and young fruits are used in mixed vegetable salads, roasted (paknams). Leaves crushed for paste/juice. Flowers, stem and fruit are edible.
Mode of use :Fresh, Decoction and Local Application
Ingredients :Fruit is rich source of carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Proteins like albumin, globulin glutelin, prolamin and proteases are present. Main amino acids of Banana are cystine, lysine, histidine, arginine, serine & aspartic acid.
Ailment Treated:Roots are anthelmintic, anti-ascorbutic, depurative and used in venereal diseases, scabies, leprosy, skin diseases and debility. The tender leaves are used in inflammations, ophthalmopathy, blisters and burns. The fruits are sweet, astringent, emollient, cooling demulscent and tonic. The ashes obtained by burning the plant are anti-ascorbutic, anthelmintic and stomachic. The flowers are good for dysentery, diabetes, ascites and dropsy. Sap of the stem is given in nervous affections like hysterian and epilepsy.
Source:Wild/cultivated in both plain and hilly regions.