Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.)
Overview
Arrowroot is a tropical plant well-regarded for its starchy rhizomes, which have been traditionally utilized in cooking and medicinal preparations. It is particularly known for its digestibility and gentle effect on the gastrointestinal system.
Medicinal Activity
Arrowroot exhibits a variety of therapeutic properties, including:
• Alexeteric: Provides protective or healing effects, particularly in reducing toxicity.
• Antibilious: Aids in digestion by promoting bile secretion, which can be beneficial for liver health.
• Antipyretic: Helps reduce fever, making it useful in febrile conditions.
• Choleretic: Stimulates bile production, assisting in fat digestion and elimination.
• Collyrium: Can be used as a soothing eye wash, alleviating irritation.
• Demulcent: Forms a protective film over mucous membranes, soothing irritation.
• Depurative: Aids in detoxification, promoting the elimination of waste products from the body.
• Hypocholesterolemic: Helps lower cholesterol levels, supporting cardiovascular health.
• Rubefacient: Can stimulate blood flow to the area where applied, promoting healing.
• Vulnerary: Supports wound healing by promoting skin regeneration and reducing inflammation.
• Alexeteric: Provides protective or healing effects, particularly in reducing toxicity.
• Antibilious: Aids in digestion by promoting bile secretion, which can be beneficial for liver health.
• Antipyretic: Helps reduce fever, making it useful in febrile conditions.
• Choleretic: Stimulates bile production, assisting in fat digestion and elimination.
• Collyrium: Can be used as a soothing eye wash, alleviating irritation.
• Demulcent: Forms a protective film over mucous membranes, soothing irritation.
• Depurative: Aids in detoxification, promoting the elimination of waste products from the body.
• Hypocholesterolemic: Helps lower cholesterol levels, supporting cardiovascular health.
• Rubefacient: Can stimulate blood flow to the area where applied, promoting healing.
• Vulnerary: Supports wound healing by promoting skin regeneration and reducing inflammation.
Therapeutic Indication
Arrowroot is indicated for a range of conditions:
• Asthenia: A general term for weakness or lack of energy.
• Bronchosis: Respiratory conditions characterized by mucus accumulation.
• Cholecystosis: Conditions related to the gallbladder, including gallstones.
• Colitis: Inflammation of the colon, which can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Convalescence: Supports recovery from illness or surgery.
• Cough: Helps soothe coughs, particularly those caused by irritation.
• Cystosis: Refers to the presence of cysts, which may require supportive treatment.
• Dermatosis: Skin conditions that can benefit from soothing treatments.
• Diarrhea and Dysentery: Used to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbances.
• Dyspepsia: Indigestion or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
• Dysuria: Painful urination, which may require soothing remedies.
• Erysipelas: A bacterial skin infection characterized by redness and swelling.
• Fever: Useful in managing febrile illnesses.
• Gangrene: May aid in healing damaged tissue.
• Gastrosis: Gastrointestinal disorders requiring a soothing diet.
• High Cholesterol: Supports healthy cholesterol levels.
• Hoarseness: Soothes throat irritation.
• Ophthalmia: Eye inflammation that can benefit from collyrium applications.
• Pulmonosis: Conditions affecting the lungs that may require supportive treatment.
• Sore Throat and Sore: Alleviates discomfort in throat infections or general soreness.
• Sprain and Sting: Provides relief for minor injuries and insect stings.
• Sunburn: Helps soothe and heal sun-damaged skin.
• Tumor: Used as a supportive treatment in certain cases.
• Urethrosis: Conditions affecting the urethra requiring soothing treatments.
• Wound: Promotes healing in cuts and abrasions.
• Asthenia: A general term for weakness or lack of energy.
• Bronchosis: Respiratory conditions characterized by mucus accumulation.
• Cholecystosis: Conditions related to the gallbladder, including gallstones.
• Colitis: Inflammation of the colon, which can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Convalescence: Supports recovery from illness or surgery.
• Cough: Helps soothe coughs, particularly those caused by irritation.
• Cystosis: Refers to the presence of cysts, which may require supportive treatment.
• Dermatosis: Skin conditions that can benefit from soothing treatments.
• Diarrhea and Dysentery: Used to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbances.
• Dyspepsia: Indigestion or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
• Dysuria: Painful urination, which may require soothing remedies.
• Erysipelas: A bacterial skin infection characterized by redness and swelling.
• Fever: Useful in managing febrile illnesses.
• Gangrene: May aid in healing damaged tissue.
• Gastrosis: Gastrointestinal disorders requiring a soothing diet.
• High Cholesterol: Supports healthy cholesterol levels.
• Hoarseness: Soothes throat irritation.
• Ophthalmia: Eye inflammation that can benefit from collyrium applications.
• Pulmonosis: Conditions affecting the lungs that may require supportive treatment.
• Sore Throat and Sore: Alleviates discomfort in throat infections or general soreness.
• Sprain and Sting: Provides relief for minor injuries and insect stings.
• Sunburn: Helps soothe and heal sun-damaged skin.
• Tumor: Used as a supportive treatment in certain cases.
• Urethrosis: Conditions affecting the urethra requiring soothing treatments.
• Wound: Promotes healing in cuts and abrasions.
Prepration & Usage
Arrowroot can be administered in various forms:
• General Preparation: 2–3 drachms (approximately 7.5 to 11.25 grams) boiled in 1 pint of milk or water.
• For Dysentery: 15 grams of arrowroot starch dissolved in 250 cc of sweet water.
• General Preparation: 2–3 drachms (approximately 7.5 to 11.25 grams) boiled in 1 pint of milk or water.
• For Dysentery: 15 grams of arrowroot starch dissolved in 250 cc of sweet water.
Safety & Considerations
• Arrowroot is classified as generally safe when used appropriately (Class 1; AHP). However, specific quantified dosages may not be designated for certain conditions.
• There are no widely recognized hazards or side effects associated with proper therapeutic dosages, making it a gentle option for various ailments.
• It’s important to note that Canadian regulations disallow arrowroot as a non-medicinal ingredient in oral products, emphasizing its safety profile when used correctly.
• There are no widely recognized hazards or side effects associated with proper therapeutic dosages, making it a gentle option for various ailments.
• It’s important to note that Canadian regulations disallow arrowroot as a non-medicinal ingredient in oral products, emphasizing its safety profile when used correctly.
Conclusion
Due to its gentle nature and versatility, arrowroot can be a valuable addition to dietary management for gastrointestinal issues and as a supportive treatment for recovery. However, as with all herbal remedies, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for tailored advice and recommendations, particularly in the context of existing health conditions or concurrent medications.