Common Name:

General Information

Tacca plantaginea is a herbaceous perennial plant producing a cluster of leaves from a subcylindric rhizome. The leaves are 10 - 25cm long on petioles around 7 - 12cm long.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

Forests, along rivers, valleys, and trail sides; at elevations from 200 - 600 metres[].

Botanical References

Range

E, Asia - southeast China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand

Habitat

Wet places in mountainous regions[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used for the relief of dyspepsia, colic, diarrhoea, jaundice following viral hepatitis, menstrual disorders, hypertension, neurasthenia, sciatica, rheumatism and infantile poliomyelitis[].

The tuberous roots, harvested in the growing season, are well washed, sliced, impregnated with ginger juice, then lightly roasted on a low fire to obtain a good flavour[].

The tuberous roots contain cholan saponins that yield diosgenin on hydrolysis[]. Diosgenin is a phytosteroid sapogenin. It is widely used in modern medicine in order to manufacture cortisone, progesterone and other steroid medications. These are used as contraceptives and in the treatment of various disorders of the genitary organs as well as in a host of other diseases such as asthma and arthritis[]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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