MANILA, Philippines — Many Filipinos are regular drinkers of banaba tea. I am one of them. Whenever my stomach feels heavy after a meal, I take banaba tea. Five (5) minutes after I take the banaba tea, the heaviness in my stomach is gone. This is the reason why I have been drinking banaba tea regularly for more than six (6) years now .

Let me share a report about our Philippine banaba – that will explain the reason why Japanese are banaba lovers:-

• “The Japanese are known to be tea drinkers. Tea forms a major part of their diet, either as a water substitute, beverage during snack or simply to quench thirst. Their fondness of tea is also evident in various tea-flavored foods and snacks such as ice cream, cakes, cookies, and so many other Japanese sweets commonly called okashi. And it is not surprising to see an infant’s bottle filled with tea instead of milk or water. In fact, the extent of Japan’s annual consumption of tea and herbs in the form of leaves and ready to drink packs and bottles sale totals to about 1.3 trillion yen, 23%, or 300 billion yen of which is garnered by Oolong tea mainly imported from ROC and Taiwan.

• “Apart from the notion that hot tea suits best the weather of Japan, it is also known that the Japanese are health conscious. Hence, many drink tea for its various health benefits such as to aid in digestion and prevent certain illnesses and diseases. In addition to this, as the growing trend toward natural medicine extends to the global domain, many Japanese are also allured to resort to alternative medicine.

• “In Japan, it is reported that 6.9 million or 1 out of 20 are diabetic. As such, with the growing popularity of alternative remedies or more specifically, natural medicines, banaba is a highly potential and effective alternative. Banaba is found to contain a substance capable of maintaining blood pressure to a low level and regulating kidney function without harmful side effects. Laboratory studies also show that the banaba leaves contain the vegetable protein Colosolic Acid, Lagerasetal and Lagertannin, which are natural insulin and at the same time act as antioxidant.

• “With all the medicinal prospects of banaba, it certainly provides a high potential in creating a market not only in Japan but also worldwide. Believing also that the Philippine banaba could significantly contribute to the nation’s efforts in promoting Philippine products overseas, the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) Commercial Office in Tokyo some years ago, took the initiative to adequately explore the possibility of introducing banaba in the international market that shall hopefully benefit the whole banaba industry. As an initial accomplishment, the Commercial Office was able to convince Japan USE-TECHNO to fund a research seriously considering the medical prospect of banaba. Hence, a joint undertaking of the USE-TECHNO and the Philippine Embassy, Tokyo was undertaken under an 11M yen fund, with the Philippine Embassy’s share as 1M yen.

• “Initial results on the ongoing banaba research have been very favorable. As a matter of fact, laboratory analysis confirmed the medicinal properties of banaba. Doctor Yoshio Ikeda, a professor at the Tokyo Jikei College of Medicine validated the health benefits of ingesting banaba extracts. His clinical study on November 1998 on 24 adults diagnosed as having mild diabetes suggested that after an oral dose of banaba extract for four weeks, the patients showed excellent performance without adverse side effects. Likewise, the research headed by Dr. Kasuo Yamazaki at the Hiroshima University School of Medicine found that the substance Colosolic Acid when taken orally yields reaction similar to insulin. Synergetic action with other substances is believed to exercise significant control over blood sugar levels. The Tohoku University team reported similar effect, a reduction in the blood pressure level on rats when banaba extract is administered.

• “At a press conference held at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Professor Yoshio Ikeda, director of the Japan Diabetic Society and Chairman of the Japan Obesity Society acknowledged the positive effects of banaba by significantly reducing glucose level (blood sugar) by about 99.7%. He added that the Colosolic Acid found in banaba has a similar effect as insulin, which works as an anti-diabetic agent. Further, he added that there is an absolute possibility to control diabetes without medication if properly supplemented with banaba in the form of an auxiliary substance.

• “Initial gains have been promising. When coupled with proper product management and efficient marketing strategy, the Philippine banaba could certainly make it to the international market.”

Finally, let me take this opportunity to express my sincere condolence to the bereaved family of the late Ed Olivares, my good friend. Ed was very active in the promotion of export of Philippine products. For many years, he has been the president of WOODTAG (Wooden Gifts and Accessories Manufacturers Association, Inc.), an organization of manufacturers and exporters of wood craft products. We (the supporters of Philippine export) will really miss Ed.

Have a joyful day!