Elephant Yam/Suran - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

Elephant Yam/Suran

It has a good source of protein as well as starch and is very popular as a vegetable in various Indian cuisines. In India, it is cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The elephant-foot yam is widely used in Indian medicine and is recommended as a remedy in all three of the major Indian medicinal systems: Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.

Elephant Foot yam has proven to possess immensely high amount of nutritional benefits as well as therapeutic properties. Being a rich source of dietary fiber and having low glycemic index makes it a rich food for treatment of heart ailments as well as diabetes. It is also shown to have high amount of omega fatty acids which regulates the good cholesterol level in the body. It is low in fat and is only shown to have the essential fatty acids thus helps in reducing the risks of obesity and diseases associated with it.

IndianYam also proves to have laxative properties thus helps in curing constipation as well as used in the treatment of piles. Besides it also has significant amount of minerals and vitamins but is free of any heavy metals. Most importantly it has proved to have high amount of antimicrobial activity which makes it a curative crop. 

Tubers of elephant foot yam are anodyne, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-haemorrhoidal, haemostatic, expectorant, CNS depressant, carminative, digestive, analgesic,  appetizer, stomachic, anthelmintic, liver tonic, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, rejuvenating and tonic.

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It has different names in different languages such as Hindi name(Suran, Jamikand, Surankand, Suran Kand),  Marathi name(Suran),  English name(Elephant foot yam, Elephant yam, Stanley s water – tub, Konjac),  Bengali name(Ol),  Gujarati name(Suran),  Tamil name(Karynai kilamku, Chenaikkirangu),  Telugu name(Kandagadde),  Kannada name(Suvarnagadde),  Malayalam name(Chena)

Phytochemical constituents

Amorphophallus is a good source of energy, sugar, starch, proteins as well as minerals Average nutritional profile contains Starch (11-28%), sugar (0.7-1.7%), protein (0.8-2.60%), fat (0.07-0.40%)mean energy value (236-566.70KJ/100g). The most abundant macro mineral is potassium (327.83 mg/100 g) Phosphorus (166.91 mg/100 g), calcium (161.08 mg/100 g) and iron (3.43 mg/100 g). Macro mineral and soluble oxalate ranges between different varieties :K (230-417mg/100g)P(120-247 mg/100g) Ca (131-247 mg/100g) Fe(1.97-5.56 mg/100g) Mn (0.19-.65mg/100 g) Zn(1.2-1.92 mg/100 g) Soluble oxalate(6.65-18.50 mg/100g). The mean soluble oxalate content (13.53 mg/100 g) was safe from the viewpoint of accumulation of urinary oxalate leading to kidney stones

Qualitative assay of different solvent extracts of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius was carried out for the presence of phytoconstituents. Extracts were taken of Petroleum ether, Chloroform, Methanol and water and tested for the presence of different phytoconstituents. The petroleum ether extract contain alkaloids, steroids, fats & fixed oil. The chloroform extract contain alkaloids. The methanol extract contain alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids and carbohydrates. The aqueous extract contains flavonoids, tannins, proteins and carbohydrates. Ethyl acetate and Hexane extract extracts contains Alkaloid, flavones, carbohydrate and saponins. Methanolic extract (ME) and 70% Hydro-alcoholic extract (AE) of Amorphophallus paeoniifoliuswas analysed for flavonoid content (FC) in terms of Rutin and Total Phenolic Content (TPC) was measured in terms of catechol equivalent. A flavonoid (Quercetin) from the ethylacetate fraction of corm of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius was isolated by column chromatography using gradient elution method.

Properties and Benefits

• Rasa (Taste) – Katu (Pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)
• Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Teekshna (Pungent)
• Taste conversation after digestion – Katu 
• Potency – Ushna (Hot)
• Effects on Tridosha – reduces kapha and vata dosha
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• Arshogna – cures piles
• Indicated in :
• Vishtambha – constipation
• Gudakeela – Piles
• Gulma – Tumors of the abdomen
• Krumi – worm infestation
• Shoola – abdominal colic pain
• Surana is pungent and hot in potency, It promotes digestion and alleviates vata related disorders. It checks dyspnoea, cough, disorders of kapha and especially hemorrhoids.
• The leaf of surana is penetrating in nature, dry, hot in potency and vikarsi. It is helpful in people suffering from worm infestation, vitiation of kapha dosha, hemorrhoids etc and its stalk has laxative property and is heavy for digestion.

Uses, Remedies, Benefits and Application

1) It is not only used as vegetables but recently several value added products like Pickles, dried cubes. Chips, thickening agents etc are also made and they are gaining popularity.

2) Preparation of osmodehydrated slices from fresh corm, and bread from flour of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius corm which is a good source of both carbohydrate and protein. It is reported that Amorphophallus corm flour (20 %) could substitute wheat flour in bread preparation.

             - The wheat Amorphophallus composite bread in addition showed high content of calcium and dietary fibre 1158.42 mg/100g, 2.49 mg/100g respectively.

3) Elephant foot yam or suran contains ‘Isoflavones’, which can fight numerous skin problems such as pigmentation, sagging and roughness of skin while making it tighter. Long term consumption can help make your skin smooth and soft.

4) It is an astringent with a pungent taste and hot digestive effect. Due to its thermal effect, it decreases mucus and wind while increasing bile and thus aiding digestion. Its consumption promotes a feeling of lightness and has the properties for improving metabolism.

5) It is a great veggie for both girls and boys while they are still growing as it can promote and regulate hormones effectively. This allows them to grow stronger, taller and leaner.

              - Elephant foot yam increases estrogen levels in women to maintain hormonal levels.  It also helps in reducing the symptoms of the Premenstrual syndrome. 

6) Elephant foot yam helps ease constipation by improving digestion.

7) Elephant foot yam is a rich source of trace elements like potassium, magnesium, selenium, zinc, phosphorous and calcium, that help in improving concentration and memory. It is helpful in improving immunity in the body. It is a good anti-inflammatory agent as well as a detoxifier.

8) Elephant foot yam is known to have a great effect in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. It is extensively used as a slimming food. Omega-3-fatty acids present in it helps in increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the body, while reducing the levels of low-density lipoproteins and very low-density lipoproteins.

9) The powerful antioxidants present in elephant foot yam vegetable is said to be effective in slowing down the aging process. It also helps in keeping away risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and strokes. Another important constituent of elephant foot yam is that is that, vitamin C also aids in slowing down of the aging process. It slows down the process of aging by making one’s skin blemish-free and wrinkle-free.

10) It is widely recommended in the diet of diabetic patients because elephant foot yam vegetable low glycemic index, which indicates that it raises blood sugar slowly. Some of its phytochemical are also known to show insulin promoting action.

11) In case of fatty liver,  elephant foot tuber powder is administered in the dose of 3-5 gram along with honey or jaggery/palm jaggery.

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12) The fiber contents of elephant foot yam are great supplements for probiotics. It not only cleanses toxins and pathogens out of the body, but also builds up good bacteria to improve immunity. Elephant foot yam is also said to be possessing antibacterial agents which help in keeping away infections. It also shows extensive cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activity.

13) The Surana Kanda – 100 grams is boiled with 2 cups of buttermilk and 2 cups of tamarind juice along with 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder. This is consumed in a dose of 2 – 3 grams, once or twice a day, before food for 4 – 6 weeks for the treatment of BPH (prostate enlargement).

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14) It is said to be useful in the treatment of irregular bowel movement, especially in case of constipation. Elephant foot yam is also helpful in treating diarrhea, dysentery and maintains a good health across the gastrointestinal tract by supplementing probiotics.

       - The juice of surana kanda is consumed in a dose of 10 ml to treat piles, intestinal worms, indigestion and hepatomegaly.

       - Tuber of Amorphophallus campanulatus is boiled and consumed in a dose of 15 – 20 g to treat amenorrhea.

15) The tuber or surana is burnt and then mixed with ghee and jaggery. Its paste destroys tumour. 

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16) Tuber of surana is made into paste after adding with ghee and applied over the leg affected with elephantiasis and swelling of the joint.

17) The dried powder of the tuber of surana is mixed with buttermilk in a dose of 3 – 4 g and consumed to treat hemorrhoids and piles.

18) Mature Suran tuber is taken, washed well and sliced. Dried under shade. It is powdered and stored in an air tight container. This can also be soaked in turmeric water (1 tablespoon turmeric + 1 mug of water) or buttermilk, then dried.Daily this powder can be consumed in the dose of 3-5 grams. This is very useful in relieving hemorrhoids, fissure and constipation.

19) The Paste of Mature surana tuber mixed with sunthi/Dried Ginger and Pounded with water should be applied on the cyst frequently for a week.

               

20) Valmikasleepada – The paste of Surana tuber mixed with honey and ghee is applied to alleviate valmika and filariasis.

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21) Surana is antihelmintic aromatic and carminative. It is used in abdominal diseases liver and spleen  diseases and Piles. It's tuber pasted with earth should be cooked by closed heating. Then it should be taken with oil and salt. It destroys huemorrhoids.

22) In case of rheumatoid arthritis, fine paste is made with ginger juice and applied. 

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23) Obese people who cannot control hunger,  use this vegetable in their diet.

24) Suran Kand tubers are cooked well and as per ones need with  tamarind, turmeric powder and salt. Whenever one feels hungry, 1 bowl of this sabji dish is consumed along with a cup of buttermilk. This is also useful to reduce bad cholesterol.

Recipes

• Elephant Yam Snacks : Tuber of Elephant foot is taken and outer skin is removed. This is made into thin slices and dipped in buttermilk for a while so as to reduce its irritating nature. This is allowed for drying. These slices are dipped in the solution made up of sesame powder, asafoetida, cumin seeds and rock salt. The slices are fried in oil or ghee and served.
• In Indian state of West Bengal, Assam and in neighbouring country Bangladesh, It is usually eaten as mashed or fried or added to curries and, more rarely used in pickle or to make Ol chips. In some households, the green leaves and stems are also cooked as green vegetables
• In Bihar, it is used in oal curry (i.e. Elephant Foot curry), oal bharta or chokha, pickles and chutney. Oal chutney is also called Barabar chutney as it has mango, ginger and oal in equal quantities, hence the name barabar (meaning "in equal amount").
• It is mainly served as steamed pieces along with traditional chutney made of green chilli, coconut oil, shallots and garlic although the curry preparation is also common as a side dish for rice. It is made into a thick chutney, typically eaten as an accompaniment with a rice dish. It has served as the main source of carbohydrates especially during the famine-stricken days of the region in the past along with the more popular tapioca. The flower bud before it blooms is also used for making curry. All parts of the flower can be used for making different types of side dishes.

Note : 

• The scientists have is identified Diosgenin, a molecular hormone which has potential anticancer effects.
• To reduce itchyness of the suran/elephant Yam, you can use lime juice, Tamarind extract, vinegar, Buttermilk.
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Side effects

• The tuber can cause throat irritation, oral ulcer and dryness of the throat. To reduce or prevent these adverse effects, it is necessary that the tuber should be cut and boiled in hot water after adding with lime or tamarind.
• Many Species which are of wild variety or vanya surana are highly irritant on account of the presence of crystals or calcium oxalate. These are less abundant in the corms or cultivated plants or gramya Surana.

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