Scientific Name yuca manhiot esculenta HOT EARTH BREAD
Other Names:
Hot Earth Aypí, Casava, Mancobra, Mandioca, Manoco, Bread, White Sagú, Tapioca
The yucca is an nourishing plant very appreciated in the warm countries. Nevertheless, the consumption by its crude root causes a serious poisoning, even mortal. It is because it contains glucósidos cianogenéticos, that releases poisonous hydrocyanic acid. Luckyly, these toxic substances disappear easily with the heat.
Habitat: original of Brazil. Extended by all the tropical and subtropical regions of America, Asia and Africa. One adapts very well to poor and dry lands.
Description: shrub of the family of the Euforbiáceas with ligneous, raised and knotted stems, of up to 2 meters of height. The root is tuberosa, white, of until a long meter of and 20 cm of diameter.
Used parts: the tubercle (root) cooked toasting or.
Properties and indications: the root contains until a 40'% of carbon hydrates (starch mainly), but is very poor in proteins and lipids (greasy). For that reason their nutritious value is limited, and for that reason the yucca does not have to constitute the base of the nourishing regime. He is digestive, emollient (suavizante and antiinflammatory) and something astringent.
The tapioca is elaborated with fécula of yucca in flour form. It is of very easy digestion, and it is recommended in case of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer, dispepsia (bad digestion) and hiperclorhidria (excess of acidity). It also agrees upon the gastroenteritis, diarreas and colitis. It is ideal food for patients debilitated with little digestive capacity.
Externally, the tapioca is applied in hot cataplasms with lemon juice, to mature infected furúnculos, grains and abscesses. Also to cure the injuries of erisipela (infection of the skin produced by estreptococo).
Use: the flour is obtained crushing the tubercle passed through the heat; with her they are elaborated diverse prepared culinarios. Externally it is used in cataplasms that are prepared adding lemon juice to the flour. It must be applied I warm up.