Marantaceae
Arrowroot
Maranta arundinacea
✓ Generally Safe
Safe in Pregnancy
Native to: Tropical Americas, Caribbean
Also known as: West Indian Arrowroot, Bermuda Arrowroot, Maranta
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Root
Therapeutic Uses
Diarrhea (absorbs water, coats GI tract), gastroenteritis, convalescence nutrition, infant feeding, celiac disease (gluten-free), easily digestible food for GI disorders.
Herbal Actions
Demulcent, nutritive, antidiarrheal, easily digestible starch source
Active Constituents
Starch (23–27% — fine, easily digestible), minerals (potassium, iron), proteins, vitamins B6 and folate, mucilage
Preparation Methods
💊 Capsule☕ Herbal TeaPowder
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1–2 tsp powder mixed in water or juice, take with meals |
| Tincture | N/A — food/nutritive use |
| Notes | Mix cold water first then add hot to avoid lumps. Traditional infant food during illness. Excellent for acute diarrhea — absorbs 3x its weight in water. Easily digested by sensitive GI tract. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Safe in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Very few — one of safest plants. May slow drug absorption (take separately).
Side Effects: Extremely rare. One of safest plants used as food and medicine. Constipation with excessive use.