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Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa / Corosolic Acid)
A tropical leaf (corosolic acid) with an insulin-like, GLUT4-mediated glucose-uptake mechanism and a small human signal for lowering post-meal blood glucose — but human evidence is limited and mostly small/short trials.
What the evidence says
Most Banaba studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 2003–2026 with a typical study size of 31 participants.
Based on 11 studies · 5 RCTs · 31 total participants
Confidence
Moderate confidenceBy outcome
A plausible insulin-like GLUT4 mechanism plus one small controlled human trial (n=31) showing lower post-meal glucose, but the human evidence is thin and the rest is review, cell, and animal data.
1 trial ongoing or recruiting · 4 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
1 of the completed trials have posted results
Registered trials show research momentum for Banaba, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Sep 2026
Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a tropical tree whose leaves contain corosolic acid and ellagitannins. These act in an insulin-like way, promoting GLUT4-mediated glucose uptake, which is the basis for its use in blood-sugar support.
A small controlled human trial found corosolic acid lowered post-challenge (post-meal) glucose, and animal/cell studies show anti-diabetic and anti-obesity activity. The honest picture: the human evidence base is thin — small, short trials — so it sits at the emerging end despite a plausible mechanism.
Often standardized to 1-2% corosolic acid.
Corosolic acid promotes insulin-like GLUT4 translocation, increasing cellular glucose uptake.
Ellagitannins may slow carbohydrate digestion, blunting post-meal glucose.
How Banaba works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Monitor blood glucose — additive lowering possible.
Avoid — insufficient data.
Additive glucose-lowering — monitor for hypoglycemia.
Tip: Monitor blood glucose
Tip: Take with food
Banaba has an evidence score of 4/10 — emerging evidence based on 11 indexed studies. A tropical leaf (corosolic acid) with an insulin-like, GLUT4-mediated glucose-uptake mechanism and a small human signal for lowering post-meal blood glucose — but human evidence is limited and mostly small/short trials. Representative study: PMID 16549220.
The commonly studied dose of Banaba is Banaba leaf extract standardized to corosolic acid; commonly ~10-48mg corosolic acid daily (e.g. higher-percentage extracts, or a larger dose of a 1-2% extract). Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Banaba is with meals. Take it with food. Taken before/with carbohydrate-containing meals to blunt post-meal glucose.
Banaba is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. Reported side effects are uncommon and include mild GI upset, hypoglycemia (with diabetes meds). Use caution if any of these apply to you: Use with diabetes medication (additive glucose-lowering); Pregnancy/breastfeeding (insufficient data).
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 11 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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