Colocasia, Taro

Egyptian Bean, Wild Taro
Ye Yu (TCM)
Alupam (Ayurveda)
Arvi (Unani)
Qulqas (Arabic)
Picture Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Picture 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:



Major Formulas:



Cautions:


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

Main Preparations used: