Sweet potato - a precious medicine in the home garden

(Baonghean.vn) -Sweet potato is a food associated with farmers, in many places it is grown on a large scale to replace food after rice and corn. However, people rarely know that sweet potato is used as medicine.

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The scientific name of the plant is Dioscorea alata, belonging to the Dioscorea family and is widely grown in Africa. In our country, the plant is grown throughout the countryside for its edible tubers; the tubers can be large or very large, weighing from 4 to 50 kg. In Oriental medicine, it is called Mao thu.

There are two types of yam: white flesh and purple flesh. The white flesh type is Mong Linh variety, the tubers are heavy (4 - 5kg/tuber). The purple flesh type has charcoal purple and cotton flower purple, this type has smooth, long tubers, although the tubers are smaller than the white flesh type but delicious.

Oriental medicine calls Khoai vac Mao thu. Illustrative photo

Main nutritional ingredients of yam: 1 bowl of about 136g yam contains 157.75kcal; vitamin C: 10.40mg; vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): 0.31mg, potassium: 9.11mg; manganese: 0.50mg; fiber: 5.30g.

According to Oriental medicine, yams are sweet, neutral, and non-toxic. They help strengthen the spleen and lungs, strengthen vital energy, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. They increase blood flow to the kidneys and reduce blood pressure.

Some medicinal effects of yam

Prevent cardiovascular disease:Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin B6, a nutrient that is essential for the body to break down a compound called homocysteine, which destroys blood vessel walls. Many people with cardiovascular disease, although their blood cholesterol levels are low, still have high blood homocysteine, so they are still at high risk of heart disease and stroke. However, if they are provided with enough vitamin B6, this risk will be significantly reduced. In addition to vitamin B6, sweet potatoes are also rich in potassium, a mineral that is useful in regulating and maintaining stable blood pressure.

One of the important nutrients in yam is called dioscorin. It inhibits the conversion of angiotensin into enzymes, increasing blood flow to the kidneys and reducing blood pressure in the body.

Laxative:Soluble fiber absorbs water and increases stool volume. Mucus and fiber make stools smoother, stimulate intestinal motility, so defecation is easier.

Anti-enteritis:Stagnant stools cause the intestines to become distended and the mucus layer to become thinner, increasing the risk of infection. Sweet potatoes help loosen stools and move them quickly, reducing the risk of infection in the intestines.

Reduce menopausal symptoms in women:Sweet potatoes contain many compounds called steroidal ponins, among them diosgenins, which have components similar to progesterone, so they have the effect of limiting the risk of osteoporosis and do not leave side effects like in hormone replacement therapy.

Weight loss, obesity treatment:Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and low in fat, so they keep you full for a long time while still reducing weight. In addition, sweet potatoes absorb cholesterol.

Maintain blood sugar and body weight:Sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber, which regulates the release of sugar into the blood.

According to a Harvard University study of 38,000 women, eating tubers such as carrots, yams or sweet potatoes will reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 27%.

Sweet potatoes are also rich in manganese, a trace mineral that helps metabolize carbohydrates and regulates the body's energy production, helping people maintain a healthy weight.

Potato and minced meat soup is good for the intestines. Illustration photo

Some other effects:

- Yam is a diuretic food with anti-inflammatory effects, so it is very good for people with urinary tract infections, very good for the female reproductive system. People also use cream made from yam to lubricate the female reproductive system.

- Wild yams have the effect of reducing muscle pain, stomachache, and nervous system pain.

- Sweet potatoes also have anti-inflammatory properties for people with rheumatoid arthritis, reduce fever, enhance bladder and liver function, and reduce blood fat.

- Taro soup cooked with fish and bones is effective in treating weakness, tendons, and spinal pain.

- Sweet potatoes are also used by people as an aphrodisiac. They contain many chemicals that increase the sensitivity of the genitals.

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