“Bananas don’t actually come from a tree….”

Known as a wonder fruit, the BANANA is thought to have originated from Malaysia.  Some scientists believe the banana dates back to 5000 BC and originally contained plenty of large hard seeds and not a great deal of flesh.   Bananas don’t actually come from a tree, but the tall plants are one of the world’s largest herbs.

In 327 BC, when Alexander the Great and his army were invading India, they discovered banana plantations in the Indian Valleys.  After tasting the fruit, Alexander the Great introduced the banana to the Western world.

As early as 23 BC, the health benefits of this amazing fruit were discovered when the first Roman Emperor, Octavius Augustus became very ill.  The Emperor’s physician, Antonius Musa was said to have cured him from his deathbed using cold compresses made from Musa, the plant group bananas come from. Antonius Musa became instantly famous for curing Augustus, thus having the genus named after him.

Throughout the following centuries the banana was introduced throughout Africa, Portugal, the Caribbean and Central America.  Lord Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire, grew bananas on the Isle of Mauritius.  He is credited with crossing various species, resulting in the popular variety we know today as the Cavendish banana.

Around 1840–1850 a missionary from England imported bananas to Fiji, where they flourished.  In the 1870’s sugar cane plantation owners in Queensland, who imported and exploited sugar cane cutters from Fiji, brought back some banana plants with them.  In 1891 from this crop, Herman Reich started banana plantations in Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas which still contribute to the Australian Banana Industry today.

Bananas have the most remarkable list of health benefits for our bodies.  They contain high levels of potassium, fibre, iron, melatonin, serotonin, norepinephrine, antioxidants, Vitamins A, B Group and C and by eating a banana daily may assist in the following:

• Provides protection for the Heart
• Controls Blood Pressure
• Assists  with the symptoms  of PMS, Depression and Mood Swings
• Protects against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage
• Great Brain food – the high levels of potassium assists learning by making students more alert
• Relieves Constipation – restores normal bowel action
• Helps with anaemia – the iron content can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood.
• Relieves Heartburn – bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body.
• Temperature control - Many cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
• Can alleviate nicotine withdrawal due to the high levels of Vitamins A, B6 & B12 and C.

Other interesting uses for the banana are – relieving mosquito bites by rubbing the inside of the skin to reduce swelling and itching; killing warts – place a piece of banana skin on the wart/s, yellow side facing outwards and stick a plaster or surgical tape over the top.  Some of our clients have had great success with this method; quick shoe shine – take a banana skin and rub the inside part of the skin onto your shoes and polish off with a cloth.

Bananas are an ideal first fruit to introduce to babies as they are easy to digest.  Make sure the banana is ripe and it is best served well mashed.

With only approximately 100 calories or 418 kilojoules in an average sized banana and all the fantastic health benefits it provides; makes the banana an “a-peeling” energy-filled snack to be enjoyed anytime.  A very impressive fruit, to be eaten at least once a day unless Wayne or a member from our team has said otherwise; as it sometimes can have a negative interaction with blood sugar.  It only seems to affect some people in this way.

Dedicated to Improving Your Wellbeing and Committed To Helping You Achieve Abundance.

From the Team at the Hervey Bay Wellbeing, Anti-Aging and Longevity Centre.

Yours in health,