Botanical Name: Maranta arundinacea

Common Name:

English: Arrowroot
Also, known as: Kookaineer, Kokaineer, Koovaikizhangu, West Indian Arrowroot, Aaru, Ararao, Maranta, Hulankeeriya, Araruta

Habitat: South America, Central America, and West Indies

Origin: Thailand

Harvested: Cultivated

Parts Used: Root

General Information:

Maranta arundinacea plant is an herbaceous perennial, with a creeping rhizome with upward-curving, fleshy, cylindrical tubers covered with large, thin scales that leave rings of scars. The edible part of the plant is the rhizome. Twin clusters of small white flowers bloom about 90 days after planting. The plant rarely produces any seed and because of that reproduction is typically by planting part of a rhizome with a bud. The flowering stem reaches a height of 6 feet and bears creamy flowers at the ends of the slender branches that terminate the long peduncles. They grow in pairs. The arrowroot plant probably originated in the Amazon rainforest of north-western Brazil and neighboring countries. The numerous, ovate, glabrous leaves are from 2 to 10 inches in length, with long sheaths often enveloping the stem. The starch is extracted from rhizomes not more than a year old. It is a white powder from the rhizomes of maranta.

How to use:

Powdered Herb:

There are different ways to use powdered herb.

Food Preparation: You can add powdered herb to any super food herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. This method is also known as "Electuaries".

Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, gives you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.

Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.

Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Arrowroot Powder (Starch)