Arrow-Root
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Arrow-Root is a starch obtained from the tubers of Maranta arundinacea L. and Maranta indica L., widely cultivated in tropical regions. It is used in medicine as a decoction for diarrhea and for preparing medicinal tablets.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Arrow-Root, or Arrow-Root (from English Arrow-Root: from arrow - arrow and root - root), starch from the tubers of the plant Maranta arundinacea L. and Maranta indica L., family Marantaceae, widely cultivated in tropical America, India, Australia, the Philippines and other places in the tropics. A.-R. under the microscope appears as simple grains 22-66 μ in diameter with an eccentric nucleus. A. is often adulterated with turmeric starch or tapioca starch. It replaces potato starch. In medicine, it is used in the form of a decoction for diarrhea as an enveloping or nutrient; it is used for preparing medicinal tablets.
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Cite this page
“Arrow-Root.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/arrow-root/