Elephant foot yam - Health benefits & Medicinal benefits

Elephant foot yam - Health benefits & Medicinal benefits

Elephant foot yam is a tuber crop and is also raised as a cash crop. After cutting into two halves; elephant’s foot yam looks same as the elephant’s foot. After getting ripe its edible root yam gets pink-brown and the upper shoot gets grown and leafy green.

Elephant foot yam belongs to kingdom Plantae and ‘Araceae’ family. Its binomial name is “Amorphophallus paeoniifolius”. The green shoot part of the plant is also edible. Most of the vegetables are very attractive and juicy in look but this Elephant’s foot yam is very stony and hard in look. It looks similar to rock.

Yam is suitable for all age groups. This vegetable is good for diabetic patients. The yellow-pink flesh is highly nutritive and tasty. It has the same size as football and weighs up to 13 kgs.

This vegetable is fibrous in nature and is mostly grown in Kerala, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha. In Hindi, Elephant foot yam is called ‘oal’, in Malayalam in called Chena, in Tamil it is called ‘Senai kizhangu’, in Telugu it is known as ‘Pulla ganda’ and ‘Oluo’ in Oriya. Not only in India this yam is popular in many countries ahead.

Recipes of Elephant foot yam

Elephant’s foot yam is meant to prepare in many varieties like; Gravy curries, chutneys, bharta, finger sticks, pickles, French fries etc. It is also prepared as curries or soups.

In Hindu culture, there is a ritual of eating yam recipe on Diwali festival. The fresh yam is very yummy yet very itching in nature. By eating this, your throat and mouth can itch a lot.

Reduce Hypertension

It is good to cure hypertension and stress. Yam is also a medicinal plant; it is the major ingredient in Ayurvedic medicines.

Reduce Constipation

Yam is a natural remedy meant to cure Bowel movement and also aids in constipation, intestinal heat, cramps and so on.

Control Cholesterol

It is also used as a slimming food as it is a low-fat food and lowers the cholesterol level and promotes weight loss. In addition, it also clears the vein blockage and arterial blockage.

Boost nourish neurons 

Yam is rich in magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and many trace metals. These metals are responsible for sharp memory and concentration power.

Protect from Cancer

Through a survey, it has been concluded that yam contains ‘Diosgenin’. Which has the potential to fight carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

Maintain health

Elephant’s foot yam contains carbohydrates and protein equivalent to potatoes. It provides with instant energy. Its regular consumption keeps you fit and healthy.

Control Blood Sugar

Yam lowers the Insulin level thus aiding in blood sugar. Its adequate consumption lowers diabetes.

Prevent Cancer

Yam is rich in dietary fibers thus a home for probiotic bacteria. This strengthens your digestion and boosts your immune system. It has the potential to prevent colon cancer and breast cancer.

Help Menstrual Cycle

Elephant’s foot yam regulates the secretion of estrogen thus gifting you a fit hormonal balance. Estrogen plays a role in the development of so-called female secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts, wider hips, pubic hair and armpit hair. Estrogen also helps regulate the menstrual cycle, controlling the growth of the uterine lining during the first part of the cycle.

It cure arthritis Pain

Yam is a good anti-inflammatory agent that aids in joint pain and arthritis pain. It is also good to cure muscle spasm and inflammation.

It is a detoxifier

Yam is a good detoxifier too; it is helpful to detoxify/cleanse your body system keeping your internal organs clean. It flushes out toxins and keeps your liver, intestines, and stomach free from pathogens.

Cure piles 

As an Ayurvedic medicine, it is helpful to cure piles and hemorrhages. The paste can be applied to dermal problems and arthritis pain.

It is anti-aging

It is rich in Vitamin C thus helps to cure premature aging. It slows the process of aging making your skin look blemish-free and young.

It is very nutritious 

Elephant’s foot yam is full of nutritious values. Many of us think of it as a nutritious-less vegetable. But it is not right! Each and every vegetable is full of health benefits.

Risk

To avoid the itching some sour ingredient like Amchoor powder or lemon is used while preparing. Elephant’s foot yam has a very cooling effect; so it should not be consumed by those suffering from respiratory ailment like Asthma or sinus allergy.