Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas

Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.
Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas, Convolvulaceae, Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.
Botanical Nomenclature Batata edulis or Ipomoea batatas
Common Name Sweet Potato
Taxonomy- Family Convolvulaceae
Distinguishing Features of the Plant Batata edulis is an annual or perennial, climbing plant growing up to 3m, with long, creeping or climbing stems and large, long, usually heart-shaped green leaves. The flowers are red, bell-shaped, with a wide blade and they grow in inflorescences which are formed at the axils of the leaves. It has a characteristic, edible, tapered or tuberous root with a smooth skin whose color ranges between brown, yellow, orange and red, while its flesh ranges from white, orange and some times red. The flowering lasts from March to April and the harvesting takes place five months after planting.
Region Found Arta (Ambracian Gulf)
Part of the Plant with Active Substances Tubers (of varying shape or oval, white or yellow)
Active Substances Fiber, b-carotene, lutein, polyphenols (chlorogenic acid), vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, potassium, sodium), carbohydrates, solanine.
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications The plant has antioxidant properties, eliminating free radicals from the body and preventing cells oxidation. Also, it has hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, laxative, expectorant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The herbal tea and the plant juice are recommended for the treatment of liver, kidney, heart and stomach diseases, as well against lungs' inflammation and atherosclerosis. The fresh juice is applied externally to the skin for the treatment of burns and wounds. Finally, due to its high caloric and nutritional value it can be consumed as dietary supplement , especially from children and elderly people with low body weight.
Method of Administration The plant is administered in the form of herbal tea (1-2 spoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water for 5-10min, up to 3 times a day) and in the form of fresh juice, which is either taken orally or applied externally to the skin. The edible tubers are highly nutritious.
Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions.
Toxicity- Adverse Effects No side effects have been reported.
References 1)Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Ά τόμος, σελίδες: 82-83 2)http://www.henriettes-herb.com/plants/alsidium/helminthochorton.html 3)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2566559/ 4)http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0cdl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=d&cl=CL1.161&d=HASHa9287526d39203650f9874.7.18 5)http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/usage/?id=1563