Overview
Kadali is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for constipation. Kadali (Banana/Plantain) is cultivated extensively throughout India. Multiple varieties exist with different medicinal properties. The ripe fruit is sweet, heavy, satisfying and difficult to digest in large quantities. The raw (unripe) banana is astringent and used in diarrhea and dysentery. The banana stem juice is a well-known remedy for kidney stones and urinary disorders. The flowers are used as a vegetable and in diabetes. The plant is rich in potassium and other minerals. There are two main species mentioned - Musa paradisiaca (cooking banana) and Musa sapientum (dessert banana). The leaves are used as plates and for wrapping food. Dose: Fruit as food; stem juice 1-2 tola. Verse: 7.
How Kadali Helps with Constipation
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Kadali has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing constipation:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Madhura (sweet)
- Taste (Rasa): Madhura (sweet)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy), Snigdha (unctuous)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Sweet (Madhura)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sweet (Madhura)
- Key Constituents
- Carbohydrates, Potassium, Vitamins A, B, C
- Also Known As
- English: Banana, Plantain
Sanskrit: कदली, रम्भा, मोचा, अम्बुसार
Hindi: केला
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
Kshara Nirmana – preparation of caustic alkali:कालमु ककश याककदल पा रभ कान ् अ वकणमहाव ृ पलाशा फोतव ृ ाकान ् इ व ृ ाकपू तकन तमाला वमारकान ् काकज घाममपामागमि नम थाि न त वकान ् सा ा समूलशाखाद न ् ख डशः प रकि पतान ् कोशातक चत च शूकं नालं यव य च नवाते नचयीकृ य प ृथ क् ता न शलातले य मु ककचये सुधा मा न च द पये त ् तति तलानां कृतलै द वाअ नौ वगते पथ ृ क् मु कको तरमादाय ये कं जलमू योः कृ वा सुधा मनां भ म ोणं वतरभ मनः गालयेदधभारे ण महता वाससा च तत ् यावि पि छलर ता छ ती णोजात तदा च तम ् ग ृह
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
Oil is prepared successively with each of the kshara of agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis), shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum), palasha (Butea monosperma), stalk of tila (Sesamum indicum), bala (Sida cordifolia), kadali (Musa paradisiaca) and apamarga (Achyranthes aspera).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
The tender adventitious roots of nyagrodha (Ficus bengalensis Linn), pith of kadali (Musa paradisiaca Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)
Smaller cardamom- Elettaria cardamomum Maton and honey along with the juice of kadali- Acacia catechu Willd or kaidarya-(mahanimba)- Ailantus malabarica DC is helpful in dysuria.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
[224-225] Kshara-taila: Ash of dry radish (dry radish cut into pieces and burnt to prepare ash), oil should be cooked by adding the paste of alkali preparation in total one fourth of quantity of oil of hingu, shunthi, shatapushpa, vacha, kushtha, devadaru, shigru, rasanjana, sauvarchala lavana, yavakshara, svarjika, audbhida, saindhava lavana, bhurja nodes, bida lavana, musta and four times the oil - madhusukta, juice of matulunga, kadali should be added.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Ground with banana stem water (Kadali Danda Toya, Musa paradisiaca) or the juice of Arka leaves (Calotropis gigantea), even seven applications of this paste provide excellent hair removal (Roma Shatana).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
All these should be mixed together and well-wrapped in leaves of kashmari (Gmelina arborea), kumuda (lotus), eranda (castor), dhinika, or kadali (banana).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 18: Chapter 18
The Rodhraadi Gana consists of: rodhra, savara-rodhra, palasha, kutannata, ashoka, phanji, katphala, elavalu, kashallaki, jihvini, kadamba, sala, and kadali (plantain) (verse 14).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
The Rodhraadi Gana consists of: rodhra, savara-rodhra, palasha, kutannata, ashoka, phanji, katphala, elavalu, kashallaki, jihvini, kadamba, sala, and kadali (plantain) (verse 14).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 18: Chapter 18; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Other Herbs for Constipation
See all herbs for constipation on the Constipation page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.