The banana plant is often mistaken with the banana tree. It is a giant plant nevertheless so no wonder that many people think it is a tree. It can grow as high as 15 – 30 foot! The plant is considered to be a perennial herb that originally grows in the Southeast Asia. For the people living outside the Southeast Asia, they know the plants as the banana producers, but in the closer areas, the plant is known as very beneficial as each of the plant’s part could be used for different purposes. The sap, flowers, stem, leaves and even the banana peels can be used for medicine or processed into food.
The banana plants are cultivated for so many reasons but the major reason is for food. The banana fruits are known to contain high energy and are an excellent source of potassium, fiber and vitamin B12. The banana fruits can be eaten raw, fried, baked and also combined with other ingredients to create other food, but mostly they are used for desserts.
The bananas are often pureed and the pureed is usually added to ice cream, baby food as well as breads and other products. As for the banana buds and also the heart of banana pseudostem are cooked for various meals in different countries in Southeast Asia. Not only that, when mixed with a different protein source, the plant pesudostems and fruit can make a great animal feed for the hogs and cattle.
Unlike the other parts of the plants, the banana leaves are not used for eating purposes. It serves the purpose of wrapping the food while it is cooked or as storage. The leaves can give a certain flavor to the food when the food is wrapped with it during the cooking. Moreover, the leaves are also used to wrap items for packing and also for cigarette wrappers.
Sometimes, the leaves are also used to help smoothen the surface of an iron. Believe it or not, it is a good tip for those living near the banana tree. When you find your iron cannot be easily move on the fabric, then simply do the same ironing activity on a banana leave for a few minutes. Afterwards, try it again on the fabric and the iron is as good as new. Another function of banana is for medicine. The flower contain honey that can be used to treat many illnesses such as diabetes.
