The investigation of the antioxidant potential and phytochemical content of banana peel of nine different local varieties showed that the content of total phenols were higher in Rasthali compared to other species which might be correlated with its high ABTS scavenging activity. In contrast, the content of flavonoids was higher in Poovan banana and is highly correlated with its lipid peroxida-tion inhibition activity. Hence the relationship between phytochemical content and free radical scavenging activ-ity of banana peel indicates that peel extracts from these varieties may be useful to combat free radical mediated diseases. These observations may be used to substantiate the scientific reasoning that free radical-scavenging is indeed the mode of operation of these peel varieties in the treatment or prevention of the onset of diseases that evidence free radical activity.