Red taro

Red taro

(selected Chinese herbal medicines from Simao, Yunnan)

[synonym] red Pinellia ternata and red rock taro.

[source] tuber or whole plant of Araceae.

[plant morphology] spare taro

Annual perennial herb, 30-40 cm high. Long rooting branches with small tubers; tubers oblate with red skin. Leaf simple, shield shaped, dark green, reddish, 15-20 cm long, 12-16 cm wide, entire. Fleshy inflorescence, arising from tuber, usually has several erect fleshy inflorescences on each tuber, 15-20 cm long, dark red; male and female inflorescences are separated by neutral flowers; spathe is leathery, tube curls, covering fruit; male inflorescence is rod-shaped; female inflorescence is short, cylindrical. The berries are small.

Born in wet places under the forest. It is distributed in Yunnan and other places.

[collection] autumn and winter. Slice and dry in the sun.

[flavor] warm, numb, toxic.

[function indications] detumescence and insecticidal, anesthesia and pain relief. Treatment of acute mastitis, bruises, carbuncle, furuncle, tinea scabies.

[usage and dosage] external use: tamping or grinding powder scattering.