|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Claim: A Facebook user claimed that plantain sap is a powerful astringent that cures epilepsy.
Verdict: False. Plantain sap cannot cure or treat epilepsy. The condition requires proper medical care, and herbal remedies do not replace real treatment.
Full Text
Epilepsy is a brain condition that affects how nerve cells communicate, which can lead to sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity known as seizures. It is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 50 million people worldwide live with epilepsy. Nearly 80 % of these individuals live in low‑ and middle‑income countries, where access to diagnosis and treatment is often limited. WHO also notes that up to 70 % of people with epilepsy could live seizure‑free with proper treatment, yet many do not receive the care they need.
Recently, a Facebook user, named Nature is powerful, alleged that plantain sap (archived here) is a potent astringent capable of curing epilepsy.
The user directs people to drain the sap from the plant and mix it with honey. He added that a teaspoonful of the mixture should be taken twice daily.
The user posted an image of a plantain plant with the caption, “Epilepsy remedy. The plant sap is a powerful astringent, which is used to cure hysteria and epilepsy. Drain the sap from the plant, and add honey to mix thoroughly. Take a teaspoonful twice daily. Plantain sap.”
As of Feb. 23, 2026, the post had gathered 95 likes, 17 comments, and 25 shares.
Although the engagement figures were modest, our checks showed that the same assertion had been circulated by several other users here, here, here, here, and here.
We observed that the hyperlinked claims had different posting dates. For instance, some were posted in 2023, others in 2025, and then the most recent ones in January 2026.
In the comment section, reactions were mixed. While several respondents sought details about the specific plant and preparation method, others thanked the original poster for sharing the remedy.
One user, @Alex Etim, challenged the post but introduced another unverified claim, writing, “This remedy alone can’t cure epilepsy; other things are applied, but if the epilepsy is spiritual, then spiritual cleansing will be done first before taking treatment.”
@Merian Benard, asked for clarification: “Thanks, dear. Is it water from plantain?”
Another commenter, @Flozy Obiji, appeared confused about the plant’s identity and asked, “What type of plant is this?”
@Richard Niba wrote, “Awesome, thanks.”
@Kure Dominic said, “Thank you, sir.”
The reactions suggested that the post made users curious and somewhat optimistic about the results it might provide.
Cures for critical illnesses are dangerous to announce publicly because many people will likely take them as gospel. Aware of the dangers of false health claims, DUBAWA decided to verify the claim’s accuracy.
What is plantain sap?
Plantain sap is the milky or watery fluid released when the tissues of the plantain plant are cut or damaged. The sap is obtained from the pseudostem (the soft, layered trunk-like structure), leaf stalks, and unripe fruits when the plant is cut.
Ethnobotanical studies show that plantain and banana plant parts have been used in traditional medicine in parts of Africa and Asia. It discusses how the astringent properties of plant compounds, such as tannins, are found in many plants, including plantain sap. Tannins are known to have tissue-contracting (astringent) effects, which explains traditional topical use for minor wounds.
DUBAWA searched for any available research or reports showing that plantain sap has successfully cured epilepsy, but found none.
Medical experts weigh in
We spoke with Sunday Bwala, a neurologist at National Hospital Abuja, who explained the nature of epilepsy and the risks that come with a poor understanding of the condition.
“Many people believe epilepsy is not an ordinary illness. Some think it is spiritual because of the repeated seizures that come with it. In reality, seizures result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain,” he said.
Sunday stressed that epilepsy is a brain disorder that requires proper diagnosis and structured medical care. Without treatment, the condition can lead to injuries, problems with memory and thinking, emotional distress, and, in severe cases, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
“I have seen patients die from epilepsy. Some noticed warning signs but did not seek urgent medical care. Others started treatment and stopped midway. The seizures returned and became worse,” he buttressed.
He told DUBAWA that throughout his years of practice, he has not seen any verified record of plantain sap curing or treating epilepsy. He advised people to seek medical guidance before taking any action regarding a health condition, as self-treatment can do more harm than good.
“I understand that hospital costs sometimes push people toward herbal remedies, but that is not the solution. Epilepsy is a serious condition. Plantain sap or any online-formulated mixture cannot resolve the issue. Professional medical advice remains essential,” he added.
To widen the perspective, we also spoke with Ibrahim Musa, a physician practising in Yobe State. He explained that misinformation about epilepsy treatment is common in some northern communities, where access to specialist care is limited.
“We often see families stop anti-seizure medication because someone promised a herbal cure. After some weeks, the seizures return, sometimes more often and more severe. Delays in proper treatment can lead to long-term complications,” he explained.
Ibrahim explained that epilepsy treatment is often long-term and tailored to each patient. Some people may become seizure-free with consistent care. However, stopping medication without medical supervision is unsafe.
He added that awareness is critical and that patients should undergo clinical evaluation by a qualified doctor, who may request brain imaging to assess the condition, prescribe appropriate medication, and provide guidance on lifestyle adjustments.
“What people need to understand is that epilepsy can be treated, but it must be treated properly. There is no shortcut. If a plant-based cure existed, it would have passed clinical trials and become widely known,” Ibrahim concluded.
Conclusion
There is currently no scientific evidence demonstrating that plantain sap cures epilepsy. While plantain plants may have been used in some traditional medicinal practices for specific ailments, epilepsy involves complex neurological mechanisms that require evidence-based medical intervention. The claim is therefore false.
