1. Treating Heatstroke and Alcohol Intoxication
Arrowroot can be used in various forms. Typically, it is boiled and consumed or processed into flour and mixed with honey or sugar to make cakes. In healing practices, it can be prepared as a decoction, roasted and powdered, or used in porridge. Depending on the remedy, it may be used alone or combined with other herbs. Roasted arrowroot is commonly used to treat headaches and dizziness caused by heatstroke and alcohol intoxication.


2. Treating Bloating and Indigestion
Bloating and indigestion can arise from poor eating habits or be symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, gallstones, or kidney stones. These issues are often accompanied by discomfort such as dull stomach pain, belching, sour taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and a heavy feeling in the abdomen. When experiencing bloating, it is essential to determine the root cause in order to address it appropriately. In certain folk remedies, arrowroot is combined with other herbs to treat conditions like weak digestion, difficulty digesting food, stomach pain from cold, and loose stools.


3. Treating Hemorrhoids
Arrowroot is a tuber that is sweet, cool, and rich in starch, protein, and essential nutrients such as vitamins C, B1, B2, iron, phosphorus, manganese, and calcium. It is used to treat conditions like blood in stool, blisters, skin infections, and particularly hemorrhoids. According to Traditional Medicine experts at Saigon Pharmacy College, arrowroot is an aquatic plant that grows in shallow, stagnant waters and comes in various forms like naked arrowroot, spiny arrowroot, and buffalo-horned arrowroot. The tuber contains 49% starch and 10% protein, commonly used as food for both humans and livestock. Its skin is especially effective for treating hemorrhoids.


4. Treating Headaches and Dizziness
Dizziness and vertigo occur when one of the three main systems that help maintain balance – the vestibular system, proprioceptive fibers, or the ocular system – is disrupted. This condition can occur suddenly when a person changes position or even after sitting or lying down for an extended period. Those affected may feel like everything is spinning, experiencing instability, light-headedness, or a sensation of being faint. In some folk remedies, arrowroot is known to be effective in treating headaches, dizziness, and even common flu-like symptoms.


5. Treating Heavy Menstrual Flow and Blood Heat
Arrowroot, the fruit of the aquatic arrowroot plant, is commonly boiled for consumption or ground into flour to make cakes. However, it is also used as an herbal remedy in various treatments, such as for bleeding hemorrhoids, weak digestion, and stomach ulcers. For women experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding or children suffering from frequent nosebleeds due to internal heat, arrowroot can provide supportive treatment.


6. Supporting Treatment for Uterine and Colon Cancer
Arrowroot is rich in beneficial carbohydrates, free of cholesterol, and very low in fat. It also contains significant amounts of protein and fiber, which support the growth of probiotic bacteria, essential for producing digestive enzymes. This tuber is high in iron, making it useful for anemia, and it provides calcium and phosphorus for stronger bones. It also contains magnesium and manganese to help the body produce stress-reducing enzymes, along with zinc to boost immunity, and potassium, which supports heart health and lowers blood pressure. More impressively, arrowroot can help support the treatment of uterine and colon cancer. Its fiber aids in the growth of healthy probiotics and digestive enzymes. Consuming fresh arrowroot extract in alcohol can help prevent cancer and tumors.


7. Beauty Benefits
Arrowroot is low in fat, but its high fiber content helps you feel full quickly, preventing overeating and supporting weight loss. Combined with vitamins like B and C, it nourishes your skin from within, promoting a youthful appearance. Regular use of arrowroot can also help treat dry lips. Additionally, dried arrowroot leaves can be powdered and applied topically to treat oral and facial skin damage.


8. Treating Stomach Ulcers
According to the Classic Herbal Medicine Text by Li Shizhen, arrowroot has a sweet and slightly astringent taste with neutral properties. It helps expel toxins, reduces swelling, and is commonly used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, blood in stools, and stomach issues. The recommended dose is 30-60g per use, prepared as a decoction. Arrowroot ash can be ground into powder, mixed with sesame oil, and applied to treat hemorrhoids, blisters, and skin infections. Boiling the skin and using it as a wash can help with prolapsed rectum. It is also rich in nutrients such as protein, glucose, calcium, zinc, iron, and sodium, making it valuable for overall health. Arrowroot effectively detoxifies and treats stomach ulcers.


9. Treating Pimples and Boils in Children
In young children, when experiencing heat or developing boils, arrowroot, with its sweet and cooling properties, works effectively to reduce heat and detoxify the body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, arrowroot helps nourish the spleen and stomach, relieves heat, promotes fluid production, and prevents dehydration. Consuming arrowroot, particularly when eaten raw, can even help prevent cancer and tumors. Boiled arrowroot is often used to treat heat-related conditions such as sunburns, dehydration, and rashes. When combined with other herbs, arrowroot is used to treat heat boils, excessive menstruation, hemorrhoids, and general weakness. The plant also has natural anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects.


10. Remedy for Fatigue and Insomnia
Many people today suffer from chronic insomnia, leading to fatigue, weak health, and a significant decrease in productivity. To address this, traditional remedies from natural ingredients have been passed down through generations. One such remedy involves arrowroot. In addition to being used in cooking, arrowroot is known for its ability to help improve sleep and alleviate fatigue in those suffering from exhaustion.


