For over 7,000 years, indigenous cultures cultivated a powerful medicinal root, using it to heal poison arrow wounds and other ailments. Though it was once a revered healing plant, this ancient root has largely faded into obscurity. Yet modern research is now revealing an array of health benefits from this mysterious underground plant.
Studies show it can soothe digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Topically, it reduces skin inflammations such as eczema and athlete’s foot. Beyond digestive and skin applications, this medicinal root shows promise for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Its nutritional profile provides key vitamins and minerals that support overall wellness. While its identity remains veiled, this ancient medicinal root offers a host of modern applications – from healing digestive troubles to reducing metabolic disease risk factors.
This multi-faceted natural remedy is arrowroot, a starch extracted from the tuberous roots of the arrowroot plant. With modern science corroborating traditional wisdom, arrowroot is reemerging as a potent medicinal herb.
What Is Arrowroot?
For over 7,000 years, indigenous cultures cultivated arrowroot, a medicinal plant harvested for its starchy tuberous roots. The name arises from one of its first known medicinal uses – treating poison arrow wounds. Indigenous peoples applied arrowroot to draw out toxins from injuries caused by poison-tipped arrows.
Over time, arrowroot was found to have many other healing properties and became a versatile medicinal herb. Although arrowroot was once widely revered, it faded into relative obscurity during the modern era. Yet new scientific research is bringing this ancient medicinal plant back into the spotlight.
Studies reveal arrowroot can alleviate digestive issues like diarrhea, constipation, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It also reduces skin inflammation associated with eczema, athlete’s foot, and other irritations when applied topically.
Arrowroot’s nutrients, including B-vitamins, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron, provide additional health benefits. With modern science now confirming arrowroot’s traditional uses, this ancient medicinal root native to tropical Americas is reemerging as a versatile natural remedy that may benefit digestion, skin health, and more.
11 Medicinal Applications Using Arrowroot Powder
- Treating Poison Arrow Wounds –
Since ancient times, arrowroot has been used as a remedy for poison arrow injuries. Indigenous tribes applied poultices of mashed arrowroot to draw out the toxins from wounds inflicted by poison-tipped arrows. Arrowroot’s absorbent properties pull toxins from the injury site to provide a natural cure. Thankfully, poison arrows aren’t as common of an ailment as they used to be. All the same, Arrowroot can be used for any wounds from poisonous animals. - Athlete’s Foot Powder –
Arrowroot Powder can be used to create soothing, protective, deodorizing body and foot powders that also exudes a luxurious quality due to its fineness. A simple everyday body powder can be created by mixing 6 tbsp. of Arrowroot Powder with 1 tbsp. of Kaolin Clay. For fragrance, 6-8 drops of a few Essential Oils of your choice can be added. The absorbent properties of Arrowroot will quickly freshen skin, ease friction, and function as an anti-irritant. For this reason, it is popular in remedies for athlete’s foot as well.
- Soothing Upset Stomach –
Arrowroot has a long history of use for calming nausea, diarrhea, and other stomach issues. The starchy nature of arrowroot powder makes it an effective remedy for diarrhea, as it soaks up excess moisture in the bowels. Arrowroot also contains compounds that alleviate stomach cramps, nausea, and acid reflux. - Relieving Constipation –
As a gluten-free source of dietary fiber, arrowroot aids digestion and relieves constipation. Arrowroot powder swells in the intestines to move stool along the bowels gently and naturally. This provides constipation relief without harsh side effects. - Healing Wounds –
Applied topically, arrowroot has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that support faster wound healing. Indigenous tribes used arrowroot poultices to prevent infection and accelerate healing for skin abrasions, cuts, and injuries. - Curing Urinary Tract Infections –
Arrowroot was historically used to treat painful urination associated with UTIs. It contains nutrients that exhibit antibacterial action against E. coli and other bacteria in the urinary tract. This helps clear infection and eases the painful urinary symptoms. - Easing Lung Congestion –
Arrowroot was used medicinally to clear up mucus and phlegm congestion in the lungs and throat. The root acts as an expectorant, meaning it loosens mucus secretions that make coughs more productive. - Reducing Inflammation –
Arrowroot contains cholesterol-lowering fibers called saponins that demonstrate anti-inflammatory effects. This makes arrowroot useful for decreasing pain and swelling in tissues and joints affected by gout, arthritis, injuries, etc. - Alleviating Mouth Sores –
Gargling arrowroot tea can coat the mouth and throat to provide soothing relief for mouth ulcers, canker sores, sore gums, and tonsillitis. - Treating Gangrene –
Arrowroot helps inhibit the growth of Clostridium perfringens bacteria which produces gas gangrene infections. As a traditional gangrene remedy, it prevents the spread of this life-threatening condition. - Improving Digestion –
Arrowroot has been used for centuries to improve digestion by absorbing toxins and excess moisture in the bowels. It also alleviates acid reflux, nausea, and bloating while easing constipation.
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Though arrowroot was once known only as a treatment for poison arrows, this ancient medicinal plant is gaining renewed appreciation. Modern research is unearthing diverse health benefits of arrowroot that were recognized by indigenous cultures centuries ago.
Arrowroot’s starchy tubers contain an array of nutrients that provide relief for digestive issues, accelerate wound healing, reduce inflammation, and more. The absorbent, antimicrobial properties of arrowroot offer therapeutic potential for skin irritations, athlete’s foot, mouth injuries, urinary tract infections, and gangrene.
Beyond physical ailments, arrowroot shows promise for lowering risk factors for metabolic disease like high cholesterol and blood sugar. As science continues to confirm the vast medicinal value in this ancient root, arrowroot is undergoing a renaissance.
Arrowroot offers a natural, side-effect-free alternative to pharmaceuticals for treating digestive troubles, skin infections, inflammation, and other ailments. With modern applications ranging from field medicine to gourmet cuisine, the arrowroot plant proves the enduring power of traditional botanical remedies.
