Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid)
Commonly used for
Metabolic Health
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What is it? / Overview
Corosolic acid enhances cellular glucose uptake through an insulin-sensitizing effect and inhibits alpha-glucosidase, lowering both fasting and postprandial glucose in small human trials.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Lagerstroemia speciosa leaf extract standardized to corosolic acid (typically 1%), or isolated corosolic acid
Typical dose studied: ~10-48 mg/day banaba extract standardized to 1% corosolic acid, or ~10 mg/day corosolic acid
Timing: Before meals or a glucose load for the acute postprandial effect; daily for chronic use
Generally well tolerated -- standalone, long-term RCT evidence is more limited than for cinnamon or gymnema.
How well does it work? / Evidence
? Emerging / limited evidence
Who should avoid it?
Interacts with: Insulin, sulfonylureas, other glucose-lowering agents -- additive hypoglycemia risk
Already taking it? Reasonable to continue -- many positive trials use combination products (with mulberry, ginseng, yerba mate, chromium), so corosolic acid content and standardization matters more than for a single-ingredient supplement.
Research & references
Derosa G et al. (2022). The role of selected nutraceuticals in management of prediabetes and diabetes: An updated review of the literature. Phytotherapy Research.
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