History

• Cassabanana plants are believed to have originated in Brazil, but are now commonly found throughout South and Central America and into the West Indies.
  
  

Medicinal Uses of Seeds

• The seeds of the cassabanana plant are used in Brazil to make an infusion for use as a purgative, to bring on mestruation, expel worms and reduce fevers.
  
  

Medicinal Uses of Fruit

• In addition to begin eaten, in Peurto Rico the fruit of the cassabanana is fermented to make a liquor to treat sore throats. At the same time a necklace is made of the seeds and worn around the neck to relieve the pain of the sore throat.
  
  

Other Uses

• The fruit of the cassabanana is often wrapped in linen and kept around the house as an air freshener, and it is believed to repel moths in clothes closets. It is also placed on the alter during holy week.
  
  

Edible Uses

• The fruit of the casabanana is eaten raw or made into jam or preserves. Immature fruit is used in soup and stew.