Cassava is under the family of Dioscoreaceae. It grows to 8 feet. It has rough skin difficult to peel. It can only be done easily by heating to soften the skin. Has a different color of dark brown or light pink.
Cassava is a perennial woody shrub. It has an edible root. It is mostly grown in tropical areas. Its other name is yuca or manioc. It can be grown even in an infertile land. It can withstand a dry season. Inadequate processing of cassava causes chronic toxicity. Various processing method used by grating, sun-drying and fermenting to reduce cyanide toxicity. Generally, it is used as food. Can be consumed freshly boiled. The leaves used as green vegetables full of vitamin B and A. Roots can be harvested after 6 months. It can be grown by using stem cuttings.
Properties: cyanogenic glucosides, oxalate crystal (skin), dehydroepiandrosterone, saponin, diosgenin, dioscin, alkaloid, tannin
It provides daily requirements of dietary energy. High in vitamin C, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, manganese. Low in saturated fat. It has the ability to protect against osteoporosis and heart disease due to its potassium-sodium content.
It gives better protection against obesity and diabetes. Due to chemical content of dehydroepiandrosterone, it acts as an aid to hormonal deficiency (progesterone, estrogen). Its plant extracts can treat painful menstruation, hot flashes and headache due to menopause.
Can reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. It lowers total cholesterol level in the blood. It is an effective remedy in colic and other gastro-intestinal problem. It has anti-spasmodic chemical for relieving spasm. It soothes diverticulitis. Good in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis because of its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. For women, it eases dysmenorrhea, ovarian and uterine pain. It supply nutrients for glandular function. It has the capacity to give good nutrition that will benefit the respiratory, nervous and urinary system. Considered as nutritional support for fibroid and breast cancer.
Good for fluid retention, control of weight gain. It has benefit on controlling stress. It has anti-inflammatory benefits. It normalizes the production of the adrenal cortex hormones. It eases indigestion by dilating the vessels. Useful in the treatment of muscle cramps and muscular pain.
It has benefits in the treatment of digestive disorders and gallbladder problem. It has diuretic capacity for urinary tract infection. It can protect cardiovascular disease due to its vitamin B6 content. It breakdown homocysteine, a threat to the blood vessel walls. It was associated in the incidence of stroke and heart attack. Vitamin B6 can prevent these things to happen. Good source of potassium that reduces blood pressure to safety level.
Used as folk remedy for the treatment of impotence due to vitamin E content. It increases the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Has anti-oxidant properties believed to reduce the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. It has anti-fungal, anti-viral content. It serves as a carminative that prevent gas. Decrease perspiration, good expectorant for cough. Good in liver protection, or any pelvic cramp and uterus contraction.
Uses: As food ( baked, boiled, fried). Made into granules, paste, flour, binding agent, materials in the production of paper and textiles. Served as monosodium glutaminate, a flavoring agent. It can be made into pounded yam and vegetable soups because of its starch. Manufactured into yam chips and paste.
Side Effects:
-Stomach discomfort or rashes to those having allergic reaction (food allergy).
-It lowers blood sugar or with diabetes.
-Not advisable for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers due to toxicity content.
-Not recommended for those person with the bout of strokes and blood clot.
-Not to be taken by women under birth control pills medication.
-Causes uterine contraction.
-Tincture of wild yam contain alcohol that will lead to vomiting if taken with the medication called metronidazole.
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