banaba
Useful mainly for people wanting a corosolic-acid leaf extract for after-meal glucose support.
Quick decision guide
May help most
people wanting a corosolic-acid leaf extract for after-meal glucose support
Common dosing range
24–48 mg extract standardized to 1–2% corosolic acid, before meals
When to expect effects
Acute (per meal) to weeks
Watch out for
May lower blood glucose; monitor if on diabetes medication
What is it
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a tropical tree native to South and Southeast Asia. Its leaf extract has been used traditionally for blood sugar support and is standardized for the active compound corosolic acid.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
blood glucose support Limited Evidence | Modest postprandial glucose reduction | adults with elevated or impaired glucose tolerance | Acute to weeks |
blood glucose support
- Effect
- Modest postprandial glucose reduction
- Best fit
- adults with elevated or impaired glucose tolerance
- Time
- Acute to weeks
Evidence for 1 use
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
blood glucose support
Biomarker supportSmall human studies of corosolic-acid-standardized banaba leaf extract report modest reductions in postprandial glucose, supported by cell-model effects on glucose transporter translocation and carbohydrate digestion. Trials are few, small, and short. This is a glucose-marker effect, not a demonstrated clinical diabetes benefit.
Bottom line: May modestly lower after-meal glucose, but the evidence is small and preliminary.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
2 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Leaf extract standardized to corosolic acid
Most common research form.
Corosolic acid is lipophilic; taking with food containing fat may improve absorption.
Whole leaf powder
Traditional form.
Lower concentration of active constituents.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- pregnant or breastfeeding women
- people on glucose-lowering drugs without monitoring
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Insufficient data; avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Interactions
additive glucose-lowering; monitor for hypoglycemia
Food sources
| Food | Amount | %DV |
|---|---|---|
| Banaba leaf tea | varies | — |
Banaba leaf tea
- Amount
- varies
- %DV
- —
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
Does banaba replace diabetes medication?⌄
No. Banaba may modestly help blood glucose but is not a replacement for prescribed therapy. Always coordinate with your clinician.
How quickly does banaba work?⌄
Effects on postprandial glucose can occur within hours, but most outcome studies use weeks of consistent dosing.
References by claim
blood glucose support
Signorini et al., 2021 — PubMed (2021) link
Track banaba with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.