🌊Hawaiian & Polynesian Medicine

Banana Flower (Futi)

Musa paradisiaca

About Banana Flower (Futi)

Banana Flower (Futi) (Musa paradisiaca) is a herb used in the Hawaiian & Polynesian Medicine tradition to help with Diabetes, Anemia, Digestive Issues, and Menstrual Issues. The flowers are the part traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

Musa × paradisiaca is the accepted name for the hybrid between Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. Most cultivated bananas and plantains are triploid cultivars either of this hybrid or of M. acuminata alone. Linnaeus originally used the name M. paradisiaca only for plantains or cooking bananas, but the modern usage includes hybrid cultivars used both for cooking and as dessert bananas. Linnaeus's name for dessert bananas, Musa sapientum, is thus a synonym of Musa × paradisiaca.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Flowers · internal
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Banana Flower (Futi) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Banana Flower (Futi) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Banana Flower (Futi) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Banana Flower (Futi) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Banana Flower (Futi) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Avoid

This herb is associated with hormone-modulating activity. Because pregnancy is a uniquely hormone-sensitive state, herbs in this category are generally avoided unless specifically guided by a midwife or doctor — this is a general, mechanism-based caution, not herb-specific research.

Breastfeeding

Use Caution

Hormone-modulating herbs can potentially affect milk supply or pass hormone-active compounds to the infant — generally used cautiously and under guidance.

Children

Avoid

Hormone-modulating herbs are generally avoided in children given the sensitivity of ongoing hormonal development.

Contraindications

  • Diabetes medications — may enhance hypoglycaemic effect; monitor blood glucose closely

Warnings

⛔ Diabetes Medications

May enhance the blood sugar–lowering effect of insulin or oral diabetes medications. Monitor blood glucose closely.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

May affect blood sugar

Watch for: Insulin and oral diabetes medications (metformin, sulfonylureas)

Additive blood-sugar-lowering effects can risk hypoglycemia — monitor glucose closely.

May affect hormone levels

Watch for: Hormone therapies, oral contraceptives, and tamoxifen or similar medications

Some herbs have mild phytoestrogenic or hormone-modulating activity that can interact with hormonal medications.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Pacific Islands — Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti

Climate

Tropical maritime

Habitat

Pacific Island forests, coastal vegetation, and traditional garden plots

🌿 To see Banana Flower (Futi) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
  • Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Banana Flower (Futi), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.