 Botany
Sibuyas-tagalog is a low herb, 15 to 50
cm high, with red, ovoid, subterranean bulbs, 1.5 to 4 cm long, 1 to
4 cm in diameter, with accessory bulbs. Leaves are fistular, terete
and glaucous with pointed and subulate tips. Peducles are long, erect,
fistular and 20 to 50 cm long. Umbels are rounded, 2.5 to 3.5 cm diameter,
containing many flowers. The pedicels are 1 to 1.5 cm long. Sepals are
free, ovate-oblong, white or pale lilac, less than 1 cm long.
Constituents
• Contains ash,
phosphorus, calcium and iron.
• Contains
a volatile oil that stimulates the tear glands and upper mucous membranes
causing the eyes and nose to water. This property is the homeopathic
basis for using it in treating illnesses associated with tearing eyes
and nasal discharge, such as hay fever and colds.
• Phytochemical screening showed presence of secondary metabolities
such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins,
cyanogenetic glycosides and flavonoids.
Properties
• Bulbs considered stomachic, tonic, anthelmintic, antispasmodic,
aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hypotensive
Uses
Culinary
• Edible parts
are flowers, leaves and roots.
• Added to salads, used as flavoriing or vegetable.
Folkloric
• Used for diarrhea,
headaches, laryngitis with hoarseness, coughs, amenorrhea, neuralgic
pains.
• Used as anthelmintic, stomachic and tonic.
• Poultice of bulb for earache; also, juice dropped into canal.
• In Africa, juice
is rubbed on the body for fevers.
• In
Malaya, juice of bulk,
with tumeric juice, is used for stomach aches.
• In the Gold Coast,
mixture of bulbs with palm oil and large Capsicums used for fever.
Studies
• Anti-Helicobacter
pylori: Crude extract
of leaf of AA showed therapeutic potential against H pylori and gastroduodenal
disorders.
• Renal
Protective / Antioxidant: Study showed the protective
potential of shallot extract against cyclosporine nephrotoxicity, a
benefit probably contributed to by its antioxidant property.
• Antibacterial:
One of 15 medicinal herbs studied for antibacterial properties, A ascalonicum
showed effect against B cereus.
• Antifungal: Study investigated the antifungal activities of the fresh extract of Allium ascalonicum. It showed remarkable activity against saprophytic fungi followed by Candida species and dermatophytes.
• Antiangiogenesis: Study showed the ethyl acetate fraction potently inhibited angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Findings provide basis for further investigations on shallot for therapeutic and preventive activities against angiogenesis related disorders.
• Hypoglycemic / Attenuation of Contractile Responsiveness: Study of AA on diabetic rats showed oral administration for two months could improve hyperglycemia and showed attenuation of contratile responsiveness of the vascular system and thus, may help prevent the development of hypertension in diabetic rats.
• Anti-Cancer / Anti-Inflammatory: Study showed the aqueous extract of A. ascalonicum with most the anti-growth activity on the cancer cell lines and significant anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.
• Anti-Diabetic / Hypolipidemic Effect: Study in diabetic rats showed oral administration of AA had a time-dependent significant hypoglycemic effect and improved the lipid profile except for HDL cholesterol.
• Antihemolytic / Anti-Lipid Peroxidation: Study showed the hexane-extract of shallot had a very high activity on protecting the human erythrocyte from radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion in erythrocytes.
• Antioxidant: Study showed the antioxidant activity of Thai shallot and the tendency of application for protection and scavenging activity on hydroperoxide formation in the biological system.
Availability
Cultivated market produce.
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