Research on the use of Musa paradisiaca L. in the treatment of individuals with respiratory diseases in the city of Curitiba-PR

Abstract

Allergic asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. This disease is considered a public health problem and is estimated to affect 300 million people worldwide. In Brazil, a large part of the population affected by asthma has no access to medicines or does not respond to treatment, resulting in a considerable number of patients attending the emergency room. In this context, alternative treatments with medicinal plants become relevant as they are easily accessible and inexpensive. Among these plants, it stands out the species Musa paradisiaca L., popularly known as banana, from which the inflorescence is used to treat respiratory diseases. In view of the popular use, the present study aimed to investigate the use of this plant, verifying from the part used, the way of preparation, the form of use, the time of consumption, the improvement of the symptoms, the possible side effects and concomitant use of other medicines. The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 21 participants and the data collection was done through a printed questionnaire. Among the participants, 81% described that they prepared the syrup by mixing the inflorescences with honey. Regarding the therapeutic purpose, most reported use for asthma (52.4%) and bronchitis (28.6%). In addition, all patients reported improvement in symptoms after treatment. These results indicate a possible anti-inflammatory action of the banana inflorescence. However, further studies on the chemical composition and pharmacological action should be performed in order to guarantee patient safety and treatment efficacy.