TARO

Introduction

Herbal medicine is the oldest and still the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It
is medicine made exclusively from plants. It is used in all societies and is common to all cultures. The
herbal industry began growing rapidly after the enactment of Republic Act 8423, the Traditional
Alternative Medicine Act (TAMA).

Body

Taro is a long-stalked herbaceous plant with huge leaves, growing to a height of 30 to 150 centimeters.
C. esculenta has several adaptations that aid its survival as a weed. It has the ability to reproduce both
sexually by seeds and vegetatively by corms, tubers, and root suckers, and it is adapted to grow in a great
variety of substrates and habitats ranging from full sun to deep shaded areas. Scientific name is
Colocasia esculenta Linn. Common names Aba (ilk.),Gabi (Tag.),Taro potato (Engl.) etc. An ethanol extract
showed alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins as major constituents. Good source of calcuim,
phosphorus and iron. Young leaves are rich in vitamin C, roots are rich in starch. An ethanol extract
showed alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins as major constituents. Leaves and petioles are
excellent to taste, also rich in minerals.Leaf juice considered expectorant, astringent, styptic, stimulant,
rubifacient.Juice of corm is considered laxative, demulcent and anodyne.Tubers are digestive, laxative,
diuretic, lactagogue, and styptic. Parts utilized roots and leaves.

Uses

 Earache and Otorrhea

- Juice of petioles or leaves can be stamped in the affected area

 Buccal aphthous stomatitis

- Ash of the tubers, mixed with honey

 Internal Hemorrhages, Otalgia, Adenitis

- Leaf juice

 Alopecia
 - Juice of the corm

 Painful Rheumatic Joints

- Apply the heated tubers on the affected area

 antidote for wasp and insect stings

- Leaf juice applied to scorpion stings and snake bites to prevent itching and swelling

Conclusion

I therefore conclude that taro is not only a simple vegetable seen in the yard,but it is also an
alternative medicine that can treat some illness. Taro is best prevention but it is better to consult a
doctor. WAG IASA SA NATURE ANG CURE PARA SURE NA SURE.