The Scientific name: of Air Potato: KandDioscorea bulbifera
Name in different languages:-
English: Air yam, Bitter yam
Sanskrit: Varahi
Hindi: Dukkar kand
Malayalam: Adathappu-അടതാപ്പ്
Plant description:
Air potato is a perennial vine, its leaves are simple, heart-shaped, and length up to 20 feet. The leaves are simple, arranged oppositely, heart-shaped, margin entire, and with tapered apex. The flowers are small and white. Yam brownish-black, rough outer, bulb-like part in the leaf axis and tubers beneath the ground both are edible, it resembles potato so, it is called air potato, which can be consumed like other yams and cultivated as a food crop. The tubers can be used by boiling in the water like any other yams used. It may grow up to 150 feet high with the support plant. It grows extremely quickly almost 8 inches per day. New plants developed from the bulb-like part form a new plant.
Leaf Arrangement
Shape-Heart-shaped |
Margin-Entire |
Venation-palmate |
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Useful plant parts:
The potato-like bulbs of leaves and roots.
Medicinal uses:
Used as a food for diabetic patients, it contains proteins, and calcium, to treat conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and dysentery and as a pest control.
Ayurvedic uses of Dioscorea bulbifera
- Digestive Health: Dioscorea bulbifera is believed to have digestive properties and may be used to alleviate digestive disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, and abdominal pain.
- Anti-inflammatory: It is thought to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for reducing inflammation in various parts of the body.
- Rheumatic Conditions: In Ayurvedic practice, Dioscorea bulbifera is used to manage rheumatic conditions and joint pain. It may help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Respiratory Conditions: It may be used in traditional remedies for respiratory issues like coughs, colds, and bronchitis.
- Menstrual Disorders: Dioscorea bulbifera is sometimes used to regulate menstrual cycles and manage menstrual disorders.
- Wound Healing: It is believed to have wound-healing properties and may be applied topically to promote the healing of cuts and wounds.
- Diuretic Properties: Dioscorea bulbifera is believed to have diuretic properties, which may help increase urine production and promote kidney function.
- Hemorrhoids: In some Ayurvedic practices, Dioscorea bulbifera may be used to manage hemorrhoids due to its potential to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Skin Disorders: It may be used topically to treat skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and rashes.
- Fever Management: Dioscorea bulbifera may be used to help reduce fever, although its effectiveness for this purpose is not scientifically established.
- Antioxidant Properties: It is believed to have antioxidant properties, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Liver Health: Some practitioners believe that Dioscorea bulbifera may have hepatoprotective properties, which means it may help protect and support the liver.
How to prepare medicines:
It can be consumed by boiling in the water like other yams consumed
It is recommended for diabetic patients
One of the ingredients in the preparation of the Ayurvedic medicines:-
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