Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
竹芋 / 葛郁金 / 结拉拔 / 蕉芋 / 姜芋 — Maranta arundinacea L.
Pinyin: Zhúyù / Géyùjīn · Malay: Ubi Garut / Garut / Sagu Belanda / Ararut · Family: Marantaceae (竹芋科)
Energetics
Neutral (平)
Flavor
Sweet, bland, soothing-creamy (甘、淡、滑利)
Meridians
Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Lung (肺), Large Intestine (大肠)
Traditional Edict
West Indian Arrowroot (Ubi Garut / Ge Yu Jin). Scaly white scorpioid rhizomes yielding ultra-pure non-irritating starch. Supreme gentle gastrointestinal balm that coats gastric ulcers, stops infant diarrhea, nourishes Spleen, aids convalescence.
Cautions & Contraindications
- Always dissolve starch in cold water before heating to prevent clumping. Extremely high gastrointestinal safety index (premier infant weaning and invalid starch). Contraindicated in acute intestinal mechanical obstruction.
Clinical Applications
- Acute/chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (gastric cytoprotective hydrogel coating), pediatric non-infectious diarrhea and weaning nutrition, Crohn's disease/IBS convalescence, and oral mucositis.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Arrowroot starch gelatinizes into a biocompatible, non-irritating, pH-buffering barrier gel that coats ulcerated gastric mucosa, protecting against pepsin and acid erosion. 2. Resistant starch ferments into butyrate for colonocyte repair. 3. Ultra-low allergenicity.
Preparation & Dosage
THE SOVEREIGN ARROWROOT CONVALESCENT GASTRO-BALM GRUEL (Bubur Ubi Garut): 20 g pure arrowroot starch dissolved in 50 mL cold water, whisked into 250 mL simmering water/milk with raw honey and ginger for 3 min until clear jelly. Fresh rhizome: 30-60 g.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Gastric Ulcer Cytoprotective Gruel with Basella rubra (Yanzi Teng) and Raw Honey. 2. Pediatric Diarrhea Rehydration Porridge with Congee Water and Salt.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only