Arrowroot Deals With Diarrhea and Encourages Infants

Arrowroot comes from the root of a large, leafy plant that is native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. It can also be found in other tropical regions of the world such as Southeast Asia, South Africa, Australia, and in Florida. The plant grows as tall as six feet. As a powder it is an odorless, gluten-free, low-protein, white colored starch. The herb is extracted from the fleshy roots, called rhizomes, of the arrowroot plant through a complex process of washing, peeling, soaking, and drying in the sun. The result is a fine, white powder with the same texture and appearance as cornstarch.

While only Maranta arundinacea (also called just Maranta and taken from the name of an Italian doctor, Bartommeo Maranto) is considered true arrowroot, the common name for the herb is often applied to a variety of starches. Others, however, may not contain the same medicinal value. Arrowroot is primarily used for its soothing benefit and its effect in dealing with diarrhea. It relieves excessive acidity, nausea, indigestion, and colic and is a mild laxative. It is also used to treat athlete's foot, not because it is antifungal but because the starchy powder removes moisture when sprinkled in socks. Since arrowroot contains calcium, carbohydrates, and other nutrients, it is also used as an easily digested source of nutrition for infants, people recovering from illnesses (especially those of the bowel), and those on restricted diets. The herb is considered by some to be easier on the stomach than other forms of starch. Though more expensive than cornstarch, arrowroot is also used in the kitchen to thicken soups, sauces, or confections. Vegetarians use it instead of eggs in breads and deserts. Be careful to mix arrowroot with cold water first before putting in anything hot or it will be clumpy like small dumplings. Arrowroot also has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and may be applied as an ointment or poultice. Arrowroot powder, which is basically flavorless, is often mixed with juice or other beverages before ingestion. Many of the claims of arrowroot's benefits have not been proven. For example, though the Mayans used it as an antidote for poison arrows, it should not be relied on as a treatment for scorpion or spider bites. Arrowroot should be used with caution for children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and people with liver or kidney disease. There are no significant side effects when used in the recommended dosage and it is not known to interact adversely with any drug or dietary supplement. To avoid constipation, consumers should not take arrowroot with other medications or dietary supplements used to alleviate diarrhea. It has been successfully combined with milk, lemon and other fruit juices, or sugars without apparent harm.