Botany
Perennial plant with
compound leaves. Leaves believed to be poisonous. Flowers are large,
purple and star-shaped. Roots grow round and edible fleshy tubers
Constituents and Properties
• Antiscorbutic,
aperient, diuretic, galactagogue, stimulant, emollient, antidote, antispasmodic.
• Study isolated putrescine N-methyltransferase, a calystegine,a
nortropane alkaloid with glycosidase inhibitory activity. source
Uses
Nutritional
Good source of fiber,
vitamins B and C, and minerals.
Peels are high in potassium.
Folkloric
Gently laxative, but non-purging.
Promotes milk.
Useful for gout.
Potato-peel tea for hypertension.
Poultice of leaves as a tonic.
Used for scurvy, dyspepsia, hyperacidity, gout and arthritis.
Decoction of leaves for chronic cough.
Poultice of grated raw potato used for light burns, arthritis, itching,
etc.
Studies
• Antioxidant: A 2006 study of commonly
consumed roots crops in the Philippines – Kamote (Ipomoea
batata); ubi, purple yam (Dioscorea
alata); cassava (Manihot esculenta); taro or gabi (Colocasia
esculenta); carrot (Daucus carota); yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)
showed them to be rich sources of phenolic compounds with antioxidant
acitivity, highest in sweet potato, followed by taro, potato, purple
yam and lowest in the carrot.
• Anticonvulsant:
A study showed potato juice exerted significant anticonvulsant activity
in mice. It suggests that potato juice, as well as potato, may influence
brain GABA-activity.
• Teratological and Toxicological Studies:
Study was done onn the effects of acute and chronic administration in pregnant and non pregnant rats of alkaloidal, glycoalkaloidal and phenolic compounds from Solanum tuberosum. None of the compounds produced nueral tube defects; a few fetuses had rib abnormalities.
• Antiobesity of New Purple Potato Variety:
Study of a purple potato variety showed anti-obesity potential via inhibition of lipid metabolism through p38 MAPK and UCP-3 pathways.
• Anti-Adhesion / Antimicrobial Properties: A study showed S tuberosum has the potential of interfering with the adhesion of oral bacteria. Also, S tuberosum methanolic extract showed a greater then 25 mg/ml MIC value against S epidermis, S typhi and B subtilis.
Toxicity !
Potato poisoning
-
• Occurs when someone eats the green tubers or new sprouts of
the potato plant. The poisonous ingredient is Solanine
which is very toxic even in small amounts. Potatoes should never be
eaten when spoiled or green below the skin. Sprouts should always be
discarded.
• Symptoms: Delirium, diarrhea, dilated pupils, fever or hypothermia,
hallucinations, headache, numbness, paralysis, shock, vision changes,
vomiting.
• Treatment: Do not attempt home treatment or alternative remedies. Seek immediate medical help. Depending on severity, treatment might necessitate use of activcated charcoal, breathing support, IIV fluids and gastric lavage.
Availability
Wild-crafted use of
leaves.
Cultivated for the potato.
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