Colocasia, Taro

Egyptian Bean, Wild Taro
Ye Yu (TCM)
Alupam (Ayurveda)
Arvi (Unani)
Qulqas (Arabic)

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Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

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Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

Botanical name:

Colocasia esculenta (syn. Arum aegyptiacum, A. colocasia)

Parts used:

Dried Rhizome

Temperature & Taste:

Toxic when fresh; Seed is also regarded as Toxic

Uses:

1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison, Resolves Swelling:

-Toxic Sores and Swellings, Boils, Abscesses, Carbuncles
-Breast Abscess
-Cough, Whooping Cough
-Leprosy

2. Clears Stasis:

-Neuralgia
-Trauma and Bruising

3. Benefits Stomach, Relieves Hunger:

-useful for indigestion and debility
-used by Daoists to relieve hunger when abstaining from grains
-given in diet for Consumption

4. Externally:

-fresh root plaster or fomentation is used for Arthritis, Gout, Rheumatism
-Bee Sting, Centipede Bite (root, leaf or stalk applied topically)
-strong decoction is used as a wash for Lice

Dose:

When cooked, it is eaten as food

Main Combinations:


Cautions:

None noted
The fresh, raw root is irritating; Seeds are toxic

Main Preparations used:


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