Potato
Solanum tuberosum L. Common name, Potato.
Is indigenous to the temperate valley regions of the Andes South America. It was introduced into the UK and Europe as a food crop in the 17th century. Given the undoubted phyto expertise of the Indigenous peoples, it is probable that the knowledge of the styptic (blood clotting) properties of the tuber was also carried to Europe at the same time.
Raw grated potato applied as a poultice to wounds and skin erruptions was a commonly used folk remedy in the UK up until the early 1950,s.
Major Richard Cruise in command of HM storeship ‘Dromedary’ spent 10 months in New Zealand Waters. He reported:
“We once observed a (Maori)man, who, accidentally, inflicted a severe cut upon his leg with an axe; he immediately squeezed the juice of a potato
into the wound, and tied it up, and in a’ few days it was quite well”. (1)
The potato was introduced to NZ in the late 1700,s Possibly by Captain James Cook who charted the coast of New Zealand.
Pharmacology : The potato with other members of the Solanacea, (e.g. tomato and eggplants) contain proteins which act as lectins (2)
Potato juice was used by the Maori and Pakeha (white settler)Bushmen,
as a skin lotion for dermatological problems, and burns. Internally
it was used as a remedy for the ague. (1)
(1) Taylor,R. A leaf from the natural history of New Zealand.
Stokes,Wellington, 1848. 2nd Ed. 1870.
(1) Cruise,R.A. Journal of a 10 months residence in New Zealand (1820)
2nd edition. Longman,Hurst,London 1824.
(2) Lewis,W.H. and Elvin-Lewis M.P.F. Medical Botany; plants
affecting man’s health. John Wiley & Sons, New York 1977.
The lectins were first described scientifically by Stillmark in 1888.
Currently the lectins are receiving much scrutiny. Undoubtly the
Styptic or blood clotting (agglutination) effect may be attributed to
the lectins which the potato contains.
Ivor Hughes.
Auckland, New Zealand.
www.herdatanz.com
Snippet
otato (Solanum tuberosum)
Potatoes are rich in vitamin C and extremely nutritious. A temporary diet,
consisting of little more than mashed potatoes (without salt) relieves
stomach problems associated with intestinal cramps and constipation. Used
externally, raw, mashed potatoes act anti-inflammatory and can be applied to
cankerous growths and sores.
Best regards
Kat Morgenstern
http:///www.sacredearth.com
Addendum:
“The Burns Association of India has promoted boiled potato peel as a painless dressing that does not adhere to wounds (Patil, 1990). It has been suggested that the steroidal glycoalkaloids in the peel may have local anaesthetic properties. Interestingly, potato peel is not itself an Ayurvedic suggestion, but an “old grandmothers’ recipe from
The Netherlands” – a rare example of a European folk remedy
inspiring medical practice in the non-industrialised world.”
Quoted from:
Burford G (2002) Traditional health care systems in wound management:
principles and prospects. In: Penzer R (ed.) Wound Care and the Skin.
International Skincare Nursing Group, 26th-27th November 2001, Moshi, Tanzania: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Southampton: International Skincare Nursing Group, 28-45.
Ref: Patil AK (1990). The emergence of boiled potato peel as a burn wound dressing. AgniVarta: the quarterly publication of the Burns Association of India 10(3): 2-3.
Best wishes,
Gemma Burford
****************************************
Gemma Burford
Research Consultant: Indigenous and Traditional Systems of Healthcare
Founder and Co-Director, Aang Serian (a cultural association
registered with the Tanzanian National Arts Council)
253 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1XQ (until January 2003) or c/o
`Hazeldene’, School Road, Old Bursledon, Southampton
Tel +44 (0)7951 630977
