Why I Started Incorporating Banana Flower Tea into My Diet

Recently, I have had an abundance of plantains and bananas. Naturally, I went down the rabbit hole to research what I could do with the banana leaves, flowers, and trunk. Usually, I cut it up and put it in my compost, or mulch the remaining banana trees.

Then I remembered one of the main reasons I wanted to live closer to the land is to learn how to utilize what she gives me. Research the plants I have, and identify parts that can be used medicinally.

And now everything is made in a lab, and if you go outside the bounds of what we are told to believe, you become the ¨weird¨ one. Even though questioning can be frowned upon, I question everything. Maybe that is why I live far away from society these days.

The tea is the one that interested me the most.

Many farmers here will cut the flowers once the fruit has all formed; they believe that if you cut the flowers off, all the nutrients will go to making the bunch bigger and stronger. I usually leave the flowers on so they can attract pollinators, and eventually toss them in the compost.

Not this time, I decided to cut it off and make tea.

But why?

10 Health Benefits of Banana Flower Tea

• Reduces menstrual cramps, can reduce bleeding, and can regulate progesterone hormones
• Helps raise hemoglobin levels in the body
• Helps digestion
• Supports lactation and was traditionally used to help increase milk production in breastfeeding women.
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, which means it helps your body reduce swelling and stress.
• Helps regulate blood sugar and support healthy cholesterol levels.
• A good source of carbohydrate, protein, and micronutrients (vitamins A, C, and E).
• Eliminates free radicals. Inhibits. AGEs formation, AGEs are harmful compounds that accumulate naturally with age, but their buildup is accelerated by high blood sugar levels (such as in diabetes), oxidative stress, and certain high-heat cooking methods
• Helps prevent ulcers and prevents Gastrointestinal disorders.
• It’s known to be calming, great for anxiety, and sleep.

I use it for its calming properties!

Sometimes I can be a skeptic of all things, including medicinal plants. However, if I can feel the effects, I become a believer. When I drink the tea, I sleep through the night, and I feel a sense of calm after drinking.

How to make the tea?

The tea is easy to make. Cut the flower from the banana bunch, chop it up. Be careful with the flower as it is very sticky, like the rest of the banana plant.

Once the flower is chopped up, rinse it with water. I soak it in the water with lemon for about 15 minutes and then clean it again. After you have cleaned the flower, bring it to a boil for 15 minutes, and then simmer it for an additional 15 minutes.

Strain the mixture. You can compost the cooked flower, and then drink the tea. I recommend it before bed.

How does it taste?

If you do not add anything to the tea, it has a bitter flavor and a bitter aftertaste. You can add honey to make it more palatable, but there is still an aftertaste.

I, however, don´t mind the flavor, since the benefits outweigh the bitterness for me.

If you have the chance, I recommend trying this tea and seeing how you feel. With that said, I will be making a cup of tea now and resting as the rain continues to tap on the roof. The dogs are already sleeping, and soon we will all be off into dreamland.

If you want to see a video of the process, I have included it below:)

XOXO

S