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Alternative medicine: Potato
Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:24:29
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Potato is not only a valuable dietary item, but also a good treatment for high blood pressure,
rheumatism, burns, and renal stones.
Botanical: Solanum tuberosum (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Solanaceae
Habitat:
Potato originates from the Andes or southern Peru.
Description:
Potato grows high above the ground and has yellow to silver flowers with yellow stamens.
Potato skin is brown, yellow, pink, red, and purple.
Part Used Medicinally:
Edible tubers
Constituents:
Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrate (22.6 grams / 100 gram) and only have
1.6grams of protein per 100 grams.
Potatoes contain a number of important vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and B6,
potassium, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Moreover, the fiber content of a potato with skin (2 grams) equals that of many whole grain
breads, pastas, and cereals.
In addition it also contains an assortment of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and
polyphenols.
Peeled, long-stored potatoes have less nutritional value, although they still have potassium
and vitamin B.
Raw potato juice contains no alkaloid. The tuber also contains a certain amount of citric and
phosphoric acids.
Medicinal Uses:
Starch the predominant carbohydrate found in potatoes is resistant to enzymatic digestion in
the stomach and small intestine and, thus, reaches the large intestine essentially intact.
It can be fed to infants as it is easy to digest.
Starch has similar physiological effects and health benefits as fiber therefore it protects
against colon cancer, improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lowers plasma
cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, increases satiety, and possibly reduces fat
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storage.
Individuals on weight reducing diets and diabetics should avoid or limit their potato intake
because of its high carbohydrate content. The glycemic index of fresh or boiled potato is 81
which is considered rather high.
However, potato GI varies considerably depending on potato type and preparation methods.
Carrying a raw potato in the pocket was a traditional remedy for rheumatism which modern
research has proved to have a scientific basis.
Raw potato juice followed by a topical liniment and ointment is a good rheumatism, lumbago
and gout treatment. Potato-juice is also a good treatment for sprains and bruises.
Potato juice is a traditional remedy for ulcers. It alleviates spasmodic upper abdominal pain.
Hot potato water is a popular remedy for some forms of rheumatism, swelling and pain.
Applying the paste made from peeled and pounded raw potato to burns and scraped body
parts is extremely soothing.
Potato is good for high blood pressure. It can also be used as a facemask especially for dry
pigmented skin.
The high magnesium content of potato prevents tissue calcification especially in the kidneys
and fights stone formation in the bladder.
Moreover, the kukoamines found in potatoes can help treat narcolepsy.
Potatoes are also good in treating prostatitis and cystitis. The humble potato helps protect
women from HSV, a virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, C and B6, manganese, copper, dietary
fiber, potassium and iron.
They are among a small number of foods containing measurable amounts of oxalates. High-
oxalate content in body fluids can cause various health problems. Therefore, individuals with
existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems should avoid sweet potatoes.
Oxalates can also interfere with calcium absorption.
Sweet potatoes are considered a rich source of vitamin A; and can protect smokers and
passive smokers from emphysema to some extent.
They are also a good source of vitamin B6, which is needed to convert homocysteine into
other benign molecules. By reducing homocysteine levels sweet potatoes lower the risk of
heart attacks and strokes.
The proteins in sweet potato root are rich in antioxidants. They help prevent atherosclerosis,
diabetic heart disease, and colon cancer.
As these proteins also have anti-inflammatory effects, they can reduce the severity of
asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sweet potatoes are classified as 'antidiabetic' foods. They can help stabilize blood sugar levels
and lower insulin resistance.
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Preparation:
When peeled and boiled, potatoes lose up to 33 percent of their potash and 23 percent of
their phosphoric acid content, therefore, it is better to boil or steam potatoes unpeeled.
As sweet potatoes quickly change color, they should be cooked immediately after peeling
and/or cutting. If this is not possible, to prevent oxidation, they should be kept in water in a
covered bowl.
Caution:
Potatoes contain glycoalkaloids, toxic compounds, of which the most prevalent are solanine
and chaconine. Cooking at high temperatures partially destroys these compounds.
Potato's green parts should be discarded.
PKH/HGH
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http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=35820 3/17/2008