Cassava

Cassava

Other Names : Manihot esculenta, manioc, yuca, balinghoy, kamoteng kahoy (in the Philippines), mogo (in Africa), mandioca, tapioca-root.

Cassava is a plant sometimes used as an herbal remedy. The root of the plant is also used to make tapioca, a starch found in puddings and other foods. Taking cassava in dietary supplement form is said to offer a variety of health benefits, including enhanced fertility. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) and yucca (Yucca L.) share several similarities. Both are part of the subkingdom Tracheobionta, or vascular plants, and are classed as Magnoliophyta, or flowering plants. However, cassava and yucca are not the same plant. The confusion may stem from cassava often being referred to as yucca. However, cassava belongs to a different family and genus than yucca plants, and each has different cultural requirements and features.

Special Precautions of Cassava

• The cassava plant can release cyanide (a potentially lethal substance) when consumed in whole form. Although proper preparation of cassava eliminates the presence of cyanide, incorrect preparation can lead to cyanide poisoning. Signs of cyanide poisoning include headache, agitation, and convulsions.
• Due to a lack of research, little is known about the safety of long-term use of dietary supplements containing cassava. However, it should be noted that self-treating any chronic condition with cassava and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious health consequences.

Benefits and uses of Cassava are

• cancer : Preliminary research suggests that linamarin (a compound found in cassava) may have cancer-fighting properties. In a 2002 study from the Journal of Gene Medicine, for example, tests on rats determined that linamarin may help destroy tumors. However, clinical trials testing the anti-cancer effects of cassava are currently lacking, and overall research on the plant's potential health benefits is very limited.
• arthritis
• conjunctivitis
• diarrhea
• flu
• headaches
• Cassava is purported to reduce inflammation and increase stamina.
• In folk medicine, the roots of the cassava are applied directly to the skin (often in the form of a poultice) to promote the healing of wounds and sores.
• Cassava root starch is sometimes used as an ingredient in vitamin C supplements.