Plantain Musa sapientum The plantain is also known as the cooking banana and is a staple food in Eastern and Central Africa, and is also used widely in other tropical regions. The fruit is thicker and larger than the dessert varieties and their skins can be pink, green, red, orange or black-brown. Unani Tibb, the dietetic and medicinal doctrine founded by the Arab physician, Avicenna, lists its properties are astringent, demulcent (containing a viscous substance which soothes inflamed tissues), and expectorant. The hakims, or healers, are advised to use the roots and leaves in their preparations for blood disorders and as a coolant and diuretic. The plantain is also used to combat coughs, irritated throats, gastritis, respiratory problems and to eliminate mucus and catarrh. Externally, the leaves are crushed to produce a paste which soothes cuts, wounds, sores insect bites and haemorrhoids.