Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa L.) has been used as a folk medicine to treat diabetes in various parts of the world, primarily southeast Asia. The hypoglycemic affect of aqueous (hot water) and methanol extracts have been demonstrated in several animal models as well as a number of human studies. Banaba is a medium-sized tree. Its leaves have been used to treat diabetes in folk medicine for centuries. In addition to their anti-diabetic properties, banaba leaves offer health benefits, such as antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, and anti-obesity effects.
