Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid)
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Banaba leaf extract from Lagerstroemia speciosa is standardized for corosolic acid and used for glucose and insulin-sensitivity support. Early human studies suggest possible postprandial and fasting glucose benefits, but the evidence base is smaller than for mainstream diabetes therapies. Product standardization and glucose monitoring are central to safe use.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid) is a herb most often used for may support fasting glucose control, may blunt postprandial glucose rise, may improve insulin sensitivity markers. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging. A typical adult dose is 24-48 mg/day corosolic-acid standardized extract, or 500-1,000 mg/day banaba leaf extract depending on standardization, commonly taken as leaf extract standardized to corosolic acid with disclosed percentage. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating emerging. Most-documented uses: may support fasting glucose control, may blunt postprandial glucose rise, may improve insulin sensitivity markers. 3 sources indexed (2006–2012), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Corosolic acid and ellagitannin constituents may stimulate GLUT4 translocation, improve cellular glucose uptake, inhibit alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase activity, and influence PPAR and AMPK-related metabolic signaling. These effects are biologically plausible for post-meal glucose control but vary by extract chemistry. Because it can lower glucose, additive effects with other glucose-lowering agents are clinically relevant.3,1
Dosing & protocol.
Take with meals for glucose support. Extracts vary substantially, so standardization matters more than total milligrams.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Corosolic acid standardized capsule.
Costs depend heavily on disclosed corosolic acid standardization. Updated 2026-06-04.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Mild stomach upset
- Dizziness or symptoms of low glucose
- Headache
- Possible additive glucose lowering with diabetes medications
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Randomized controlled trials
1- 1A corosolic acid-containing extract from Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves lowers glucose levels in humansFukushima M et al. · Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology · 2006
Corosolic-acid standardized banaba extract was associated with lower blood glucose after administration.
Reviews & position papers
2- 2The antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects of Lagerstroemia speciosa L. and its active constituentsStohs SJ et al. · Phytotherapy Research · 2012
Evidence supports biologic plausibility but calls for better standardized clinical trials.
- 3Anti-diabetes and anti-obesity activity of Lagerstroemia speciosaKlein G et al. · Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · 2007
Review summarized corosolic acid, ellagitannins, glucose transport, and enzyme inhibition mechanisms.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid), drawn from the data on this page.
What is Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid)?
Banaba leaf extract from Lagerstroemia speciosa is standardized for corosolic acid and used for glucose and insulin-sensitivity support. Early human studies suggest possible postprandial and fasting glucose benefits, but the evidence base is smaller than for mainstream diabetes therapies. Product standardization and glucose monitoring are central to safe use.
What is Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid) used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid) include: May support fasting glucose control; May blunt postprandial glucose rise; May improve insulin sensitivity markers; Provides polyphenol antioxidant activity. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as emerging.
What is a typical dose of Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid)?
A typical adult dose of Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid) is 24-48 mg/day corosolic-acid standardized extract, or 500-1,000 mg/day banaba leaf extract depending on standardization. The commonly recommended form is Leaf extract standardized to corosolic acid with disclosed percentage. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid)?
Reported side effects include mild stomach upset, dizziness or symptoms of low glucose, headache, possible additive glucose lowering with diabetes medications. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Banaba Leaf (Corosolic Acid)?
NutriStack rates this as Emerging, meaning early RCT signal, mechanistic data, or limited human evidence. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
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