Exploring the Ethnobotanical, Nutritional, and Medicinal Potential of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman: A Mini Review

Introduction: Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (false banana) is a multipurpose crop native to Ethiopia and surrounding regions, deeply integrated into local diets, cultural practices, and traditional medicine. While its nutritional significance is well documented, scientific validation of its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities remains limited. Considering its potential as both a staple food and a therapeutic resource, this review aimed to consolidate existing evidence on its ethnobotanical relevance, nutritional profile, bioactive constituents, and pharmacological applications. The goal of the research was to conduct a mini review and critical synthesis of the scientific and ethnobotanical literature on Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman, in particular, has its traditional medicinal use, its nutritional composition, its phytochemical constituents, and its reported pharmacological activities, with the intention of spotting the gaps in research and promoting its use as a functional food and therapeutic resource. Methods: A mini review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 1980 and 2022. Keywords included “Enset,” “Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman,” “ethnobotany,” “nutritional value,” “phenylphenalenones,” and “pharmacological.” Eligible studies were peer-reviewed articles focusing on ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, nutrition, and medicinal properties of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman. Both in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies were considered, while conference abstracts, theses, and non-English works were excluded. Results: The review revealed that different parts of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman are traditionally used for treating diarrhoea, bone fractures, and retained placenta. Nutritional analyses demonstrated its richness in starch (up to 65%), soluble carbohydrates, and essential minerals, along with 17 amino acids. Phytochemical investigations identified flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenylphenalenones, some of which exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects. Despite its ethnomedicinal prominence, most pharmacological studies remain preclinical, with minimal clinical validation. Discussion: The findings emphasise Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman dual role as a food security crop and a reservoir of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. Its resilience to harsh climates underscores its agricultural importance. However, limitations include scattered evidence, a lack of compound standardisation, and minimal clinical trials. Future research should focus on isolating active constituents, validating their mechanisms, and developing functional food or phytopharmaceutical applications. Conclusion: Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman represents an underutilised yet up-and-coming crop that bridges nutrition, traditional medicine, and pharmacology. Strengthening interdisciplinary research could unlock its potential as a sustainable food source and natural medicine, contributing to food security, public health, and drug discovery.