Food · Asia
Giant taro
Alocasia macrorrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: aids digestion, laxative, diuretic, promotes milk flow; for colic, constipation, haemorrhoids, oedema, worms, mouth ulcers, scorpion stings.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Rhizome 6–12 g; tea 14–28 ml; leaf juice or decoction; ash with honey in the mouth.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Manka. The enormous leaves are used as umbrellas in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Raw, the tuber stings and is poisonous because of calcium oxalate and is eaten only after long boiling. The sap was used externally on insect bites.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Aids digestion, laxative, diuretic, promotes milk flow; for colic, constipation, haemorrhoids, oedema, worms, mouth ulcers, scorpion stings.
Preparation and amount
Rhizome 6–12 g; tea 14–28 ml; leaf juice or decoction; ash with honey in the mouth.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionSyrup, honey and oxymel