Note: A lot of people are searching for banana leaf tea these days when they really want to be searching for the banaba leaf tea which was featured on the Dr. Oz show and which has a lot of amazing health benefits.
Banana leaves are used in many cultures in a variety of capacities. Cambodian and Indonesian dishes often cook their fish or rice in banana leaves — or at the very least use them as plates for serving the meal.
Courtesy of George Augustine
Additionally, banana leaves may have some skin benefits such as helping to treat burns. Mostly, people seeking the health benefits of the banana leaf use it as a relaxing solar treatment. They lay under the banana leaf, allowing it to filter out the green rays of light and letting their body soak in the lower wavelengths.
Benefits of Banana Leaf Tea
However, there are a lot of benefits of banana leaf tea, similar to those of green tea. The banana leaf is full of polyphenols including the famous epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG as it is often called. ECGC has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including possibly helping the body to burn weight faster and decreasing the risks of cancer and heart attacks.
The market for banana leaf tea is rather small, but there are a few proprietors offer banana leaf tea blends. Because the banana leaf has such a strong banana flavor, it is most often sold as mixtures with other teas such as rooibois or black tea.
Organic Banana Leaf With Black Tea From Amazon
Banana Leaf And Rooibos Tea From Amazon
Banana Leaf Tea Preparation
Simply bring your water to a boil and then add the tea. Because the banana is such a tough plant it is recommended to let it steep for at least 5 minutes. This is a couple of minutes longer than the traditional recommendation of 2-3 minutes, but is essential for getting a good brew.
