| Gen
info
Pachyrrihizus is derived
from the Greek word meaning "thick root."
Botany
Coarse and climbing
herbaceous vine yielding large, edible, turnip-shaped fleshy roots.
Leaflets are broader than long, up to 15 cm long and 20 cm wide, with
a deltoid base, shallowly lobed upper half. Racemes are u7p to 45 cm
in length. Flowers are pale blue or blue and white, 2 to 2.5 cm long,
about 1.5 cm wide. Pods are about 10 cm long, 10-12 mm wide, flat and
hairy, containing 8 to 10 seeds. Roots are large, fleshy, and turnipo-shaped.
Distribution
In settled
areas, in thickets and hedges throughout the Philippines, at
low and medium altitudes.
Constituents
and characteristics
• Roots are high in carbohydrates; good source of calcium and
iron.
• Young pods are also good sources of calcium and iron.
• Seeds are 38.4% limpeed oil.
• Seeds also contain a poisonous substance, pachyrrhizid, a glucoside;
toxic to fish if pounded and dropped in water.
• The seeds also contain a toxic resin.
Parts used
Roots and stems.
Uses
Nutritional
Roots are eaten raw
or prepared; pods used as vegetable.
Folkloric
Decoction of the roots
used as a diuretic.
Warmed poultice of the stem pulp applied to painful areas in the leg.
Seeds are laxative; and the oil of seeds is purgative in doses of 40
gms.
Tincture from seeds used for treatment of herpes.
Studies
•
CNS Depressant Activity: PE seed is known to contain
rotinoids, flavonoids, phenylfuranocoumarins with antifungal, antisecretory,
antibacterial and spasmolytic activities. Study showed CNS depressant
effect with decreased locomotor activity, muscle relaxation, antianxiety
and antiaggressive activity.
•
Anti Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV): Studies on seeds of
PE isolated 9 known cxomponents – 5 rotenoids, two isoflavonoids,
one phenylfuranocoumarin and a monosaccharide. Moderate anti-herpes
simplex virus activity was observed.
• Yam bean seed poisoning: Five patients presented with signs and symptoms mimicking acute cyanide intoxication with perioral numbness, nausea and vomiting after ingesting soup made from yam bean seeds. One patient progressed to severe metabolic acidosis and coma, requiring aggressive therapy.
Availability
Widely cultivated
for its edible roots.
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