The Rainforest Potato!

"A Plant a Day"- Cassava, Yuca, Manioc, Tapioca (Manihot esculenta)-

The 3rd largest carbohydrate food source in the tropics, and most widely cultivated, Cassava is a perennial tuber in the Euphorbiaceae family, normally consumed as boiled tubers, but also used for the extraction of tapioca starch. As it is very drought-tolerant, will grow in poor soils that many other crops will not and yields much more calories than comparable staple food crops per unit of land, its use has spread through many countries. Although originally a native of South America, its cultivation and breeding by man began maybe 10,000 years ago and so many varieties exist and it has also spread becoming a staple in many regions. Both the tuber and the leaves are edible after processing. There are two main types—the sweet and the bitter varieties. Both need to be cooked before eating, with the bitter variety containing more toxins and needing more soaking and cooking before eating. The tuber is an important source of carbohydrates, and also contains a good amount of resistant starch, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C; whereas, the leaves are a good source of lysine-rich protein.

Cassava is used medicinally for a number of different applications, both internal and external. Externally, the roots are used for skin conditions (usually in a powdered form) and for fungal infections and for wound healing. The leaves are also used topically as a poultice to stop bleeding. There are some claims that the peel of the root is useful for scars, minimizing pore size, skin complexion and hair growth. It is also consumed for digestive health, heart health, building healthy bones and energy. Through scientific investigation, Cassava has been found to have antidiarrheal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities.

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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.

Photo by CIAT - mrjohncummings - Cassava