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Wednesday, September 26

Alocasia macrorrhiza (L.) Schott



English names:

Big - rooted taro, giant alocasia, giant taro, kopeh root

Description:

Perennial herb, 0.5-1m. high. Rhizome cylindrical, long, stout, with many nodes. Leaves large, ovate - cordate with long stalks, surrounding the stem; margins wavy. Inflorescence in spadix, bearing male flowers above and female below. Berry ovoid, red when ripe.

Flowering period:

January - May.

Distribution:

Grows wild in forests and mountains.

Parts used:

The leaves and rhizomes are collected throughout the year. The leaves are used fresh. The rhizomes are boiled hard to reduce itching compounds, then sun-dried or heat-dried.

Chemical composition:

The rhizomes contain phytosterols, alkaloids, glucose and fructose.

Therapeutic uses:

The leaves and the rhizome are prescribed for the treatment of impetigo, furunculosis, phlegmon and snake-bite in the form of a liquid extract for administration by mouth, and their residue is used for poulticing. They are also used in treating colic and vomiting, in a daily dose of 10 to 20g of dried rhizome in the form of a decoction. Their external use as a plaster is effective against furunculosis.

Source: Medicinal plants in Viet Nam (Institute of Materia Medica - HANOI - WHO/WPRO, 1990, 444 p.)

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Articles in this site is solely provided for informational purposes only.  Our POSTS ARE NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician.