Full details of Health benefits of Air Potato can be found here on Ejesgist.ng.
Dioscorea bulbifera, also known as the air potato or air yam, is a true yam species in the Dioscoreaceae family. Tropical Africa, Southern Asia, the Maldives, and Northern Australia are home to the plant. It is found in Chin, Kachin, Mandalay, Mon, Sagaing, and Shan states in Myanmar.
Ikpalo widely cultivated and has naturalised in many areas (Latin America, the West Indies, the Southeastern United States, and various oceanic islands).
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It is also known as the up-yam in Nigerian Pidgin English because the plant is grown for its bulbils rather than its tubers.
Air potato gets its name from the numerous bulbils (Ikpalo-like tubers) that grow on the stem and float in the air.
Aerial yam, Bitter yam, Cheeky yam, Potato yam, Wild yam, parsnip yam, Bulbil-bearing yam, Hoi, Malacca yam, yam, and otaheite yam are some common names for the plant.
Air Potato produces several axillary tubers, which can weigh several pounds on occasion. These are edible and have a potato flavour. Typically, root tubers are absent or insignificant.
This plant was introduced to the United States as a potential food crop, but it quickly became resistant to cultivation. In Florida and other parts of the Southeast, where it smothers native flora, it is considered extremely invasive.
It has also been reported to be escaping cultivation in the Midwest.
Air Potato Health Benefits.
Some of the well-known health benefits of Air Potato are listed below.
1. Skin Diseases
Air potato powder has traditionally been used to treat a variety of skin conditions. It can be used topically to treat blisters and boils.
2. Treat various eye disorders
Ikpalo has been used to treat or prevent various eye ailments such as conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation of the white part of your eye as well as the inner surface of your eyelids.
3. Antioxidants are present.
According to research, air potato is high in flavonoids and isoflavonoids, both of which are antioxidants. Though it has been stated that flavonoids are poorly absorbed in the body, this may be insignificant in terms of antioxidant activity. Still, this is something to investigate further.
More on Health benefits of Air Potato.
4. Address Respiratory Issues
Some respiratory disorders have been treated or cured using air potato as a home remedy. It can be used to treat asthma, coughs, and tonsillitis.
5. Beneficial to the Heart.
Eating Ikpalo can do a variety of things for your body, including leading to a healthier heart. For starters, it appears to be capable of lowering your blood cholesterol levels. Another benefit is that it can help regulate your blood pressure. Normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels can both help to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of various heart diseases.
6. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Air potato has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. This can be extremely beneficial for a variety of conditions, including swelling caused by injuries and arthritis.
7. Beneficial to the Digestive System
Consuming air potato can help improve or maintain the health of your digestive system and keep you away from some common digestive disorders. It should aid in the regulation of your bowel movements, thereby avoiding conditions such as constipation and diarrhoea.
