Arrowroot Powder 100 g, 50 g

Arrowroot Powder – 100 g ($8.99), 50 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
The most impressive health benefits of arrowroot might include its ability to promote growth and development, enhance digestion, boost metabolism, ease stomach issues, promote weight loss, prevent birth defects and treat urinary tract infections. Additionally, it may also boost oral, skin and hair health.

Arrowroot are a rich source of carbohydrates, B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus. It may also have trace amounts of zinc and iron, as well as vitamin B1 and B6. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids may also be found in it in negligible amounts. In addition, it contains fibers and some proteins and lipids too. ^[3]

Serving Size : 100 g (1 cup) Raw ; 20 g Powder
Nutrient	Value
Water [g]	80.75
Energy	65
Energy [kJ]	271
Protein [g]	4.24
Total lipid (fat) [g]	0.2
Ash [g]	1.42
Carbohydrate, by difference [g]	13.39
Fiber, total dietary [g]	1.3
Calcium, Ca [mg]	6
Iron, Fe [mg]	2.22
Magnesium, Mg [mg]	25
Phosphorus, P [mg]	98
Potassium, K [mg]	454
Sodium, Na [mg]	26
Zinc, Zn [mg]	0.63
Copper, Cu [mg]	0.12
Manganese, Mn [mg]	0.17
Selenium, Se [µg]	0.7
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid [mg]	1.9
Thiamin [mg]	0.14
Riboflavin [mg]	0.06
Niacin [mg]	1.69
Pantothenic acid [mg]	0.29
Vitamin B-6 [mg]	0.27
Folate, total [µg]	338
Folate, food [µg]	338
Folate, DFE [µg]	338
Vitamin A, RAE [µg]	1
Carotene, beta [µg]	11
Vitamin A, IU [IU]	19
Fatty acids, total saturated [g]	0.04
14:0 [g]	0
16:0 [g]	0.04
18:0 [g]	0
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated [g]	0
18:1 [g]	0
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated [g]	0.09
18:2 [g]	0.07
18:3 [g]	0.02
Sources include : USDA [2]

Digestion  Arrowroot powder has been used as an aid for digestion for over a century, documented as early as 1900. According to research about Antarctic expeditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was one of the four main medicinal foods and drinks for the explorers whose bodies were largely devoid of vitamins. (4) The 1920 “Encyclopedia Americana” defines it as “a fine-grained starch esteemed for making invalid foods.” Invalid foods were termed as such because they were safe ingredients to give to seriously ill people.

In recent years, research has shown arrowroot to be an effective natural treatment for diarrhea. A 2000 study determined the efficacy of the powder to reduce diarrhea and constipation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and discovered it to be extremely successful. Not only does it greatly reduce occurrences of diarrhea, but it also minimizes abdominal pain. (5)

While the specific reasons for a decrease in digestive problems has yet to be determined, there is sufficient evidence, both historically and in recent years, that arrowroot is an excellent, all-natural, inexpensive treatment for problems with digestion. To prevent constipation, it’s recommended that you don’t take arrowroot with other medications or supplements used to alleviate diarrhea. (6) Arrowroot may help with diarrhea both by firming stool and reducing it’s water content. Arrowroot’s high starch content may be responsible, as it helps increase stool consistency and size. In turn, this reduces the frequency of bowel movements.

However, there’s limited research on using arrowroot powder for diarrhea.

Arrowroot may contain high amounts of dietary fiber and can also help with diarrhea. Dietary fiber is one of the most important parts of our digestive process, as it may help move food through the bowels in an efficient manner, while also stimulating the uptake of nutrients. It may eliminate issues of constipation and diarrhea as well. Finally, dietary fiber might help clear out excess cholesterol, further promoting cardiovascular health. ^[4]

Arrowroot may have a good amount of protein present in it. By increasing our dietary intake of plant proteins, which are easier to process than animal proteins, we can guarantee healthy growth and development. ^[9]

Gluten-Free Diet  Like most tubers, arrowroot is naturally gluten-free. Its powder can be used as a substitute for wheat flour. Those who have celiac disease — a common digestive disorder in which gluten inflames your small intestine — need to completely avoid this gluten. This includes grains like barley, wheat, and rye. Arrowroot’s resistant starch is especially useful for gluten-free products. It helps improve their texture, crispness, and flavor, so it’s a popular choice for gluten-free baking.

Metabolism  The high concentration of vitamin B within arrowroot may make it an important enzymatic and metabolic substance. The B-vitamin family is very important in regulating processes throughout your body, from hormonal release to circadian rhythms, meaning that you never want a deficiency in that department! The rich source of calcium ash present in it may also be vital in maintaining the acid-alkali balance in the body. ^[11]

Weight Loss  Arrowroot powder contains resistant starch, which your body cannot digest. It forms a viscous gel when mixed with water and behaves like soluble fiber in your gut. Foods high in fiber and resistant starch slow your rate of digestion, giving you a prolonged feeling of fullness. In turn, this may regulate your appetite and aid in weight loss. However, research has shown that appetite management is highly dependent on the amount of resistant starch you consume.

Arrowroot’s protein content may aid feelings of fullness as well.

Arrowroot might be extremely low in calories as compared to other starches like yams, potatoes or cassava. For this reason, people trying to remain on a diet may get complex carbohydrates and a wealth of nutrients, as well as a healthy dose of dietary fiber, which can eliminate the desire to snack between meals. Arrowroot may help you feel full and give you the minerals and vitamins your body needs. ^[10]

Safe for Infants  Because of its starchy content, mild flavor and gentleness on the digestive system, arrowroot is a safe ingredient to use in food for infants. You can use this starch in many different types of recipes for your infant or older children, without having to worry about it causing tummy aches or other digestion issues. (7)

Not only is this a safe food ingredient for your little ones, arrowroot is also a common ingredient in teething cookies for babies. As a virtually allergen-free product, it’s an ideal gum-soothing ingredient that poses little-to-no risk of allergic reaction. (8)

Urinary Tract Infection  The anti-inflammatory properties of arrowroot may aid in curing bladder infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Doctors advise their intake to those women who face frequent infections.

Women susceptible to urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are often prescribed hygiene and foods to help stave off future infection and soothe inflammation. One such food is arrowroot, and it can be one of the effective home remedies for bladder infections or UTIs. (9)

Arrowroot is a demulcent, which is simply a soothing substance used to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes. As it earned its name by serving as a treatment for poisonous arrow wounds, it’s no surprise that this useful plant relieves inflammation.

The antiseptic properties of arrowroot help treat UTIs and also prevent some future flare-ups, which is why doctors often recommend common ingestion of it for women with frequent infections.

Immune  The essential minerals present in arrowroot may prove to be very good for fighting weakness, fatigue, and cognitive disorders. It also encourages oxygenation of your body’s organ systems and extremities, which can boost your energy levels. Arrowroot powder also exhibit cytotoxic activities that help in building immunity. This means the Maranta arundinacea  boosts the production of cells within the immune system. An evaluation of the immunostimulatory effect of arrowroot in 2012 proved that those same tuber extracts stimulated the immune systems of cells, both when tested in vitro (in test tubes) and in vivo (in a live animal), again proving the usefulness of arrowroot in boosting immune system health. (10)

Heart Health  The significant levels of potassium found in arrowroot may mean that it can be a definite line of defense against heart-related issues. Potassium is a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes the tension in the blood vessels and arteries, thereby lowering blood pressure and helping to maintain a healthy heart. Potassium might also be known as a cognitive enhancer, promoting the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain. [5] [6]

May Lower Birth Defects  One particular member of the B family of vitamins is folate, and it may be found in high levels within arrowroot. Studies have shown that folate is important for expecting mothers, as it might help prevent neural tube defects in their unborn child. Folate is also an important factor in DNA synthesis and healthy cell division, thereby promoting rapid healing and healthy growth.

Skin, Hair  It might be a natural sweat-absorbent, therefore, used in cosmetics and powders. Its topical application also helps in curing blemishes, rashes, and other wounds. Arrowroot powder may also be used as a dry shampoo by many. Its moisture-absorbing ability is useful in reducing the greasiness in hair.

Fights Foodborne Pathogens  One fascinating feature of arrowroot is its ability to fight foodborne pathogens that cause illness. Research has proven a reduction in pathogens in various foods, especially liquid foods such as soup. Here, arrowroot tea massively reduced the amount of salmonella virus in the soups that were tested. (11) This is yet another reason why arrowroot is a recommended medicinal food ingredient to keep the digestive system safe. It also speaks to some far-reaching effects it might have to help protect people in third-world countries from some of the more common infections due to poor water quality.

Oral  Arrowroot might be a popular traditional remedy for inflamed, painful gums, and sores in the mouth. It may help provide relief and soothing effect, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Arrowroot has a higher protein content than other tubers, packing 5 grams per 1 cup (120 grams), compared with just 2.3 grams in the same amount of yam.

It’s also rich in folate (vitamin B9), which is essential for development during pregnancy and DNA formation. Low levels of this vitamin are associated with an increased risk of birth defects, namely neural tube defects.

Babies aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the soothing properties of arrowroot. It can be applied directly to painful gums and sore mouth to relieve pain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. (12) To further relieve pain in the gums and mouth, also add coconut oil pulling to your routine.

Athlete’s Foot  Athlete’s foot is a common skin infection of the feet caused by fungus. You can use arrowroot powder to treat this infection by applying it to the affected area. The powder may have the ability to absorb moisture and sweat, which makes it difficult for the fungus to grow and spread.

Botanical Name: Maranta arundinacea
English: Arrowroot
Also, known as: Kookaineer, Kokaineer, Koovaikizhangu, West Indian Arrowroot, Aaru, Ararao, Maranta, Hulankeeriya, Araruta
Habitat: South America, Central America, and West Indies
Origins: Thailand
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Root

General Information:
Maranta arundinacea plant is an herbaceous perennial, with a creeping rhizome with upward-curving, fleshy, cylindrical tubers covered with large, thin scales that leave rings of scars. The edible part of the plant is the rhizome. Twin clusters of small white flowers bloom about 90 days after planting. The plant rarely produces any seed and because of that reproduction is typically by planting part of a rhizome with a bud. The flowering stem reaches a height of 6 feet and bears creamy flowers at the ends of the slender branches that terminate the long peduncles. They grow in pairs. The arrowroot plant probably originated in the Amazon rainforest of north-western Brazil and neighboring countries. The numerous, ovate, glabrous leaves are from 2 to 10 inches in length, with long sheaths often enveloping the stem. The starch is extracted from rhizomes not more than a year old. It is a white powder from the rhizomes of maranta.

This little plant is much more than a starch thickener! Its history includes a variety of medicinal and other uses, starting with the theory on where it got its popular name. Folklore says this tropical perennial was used by inhabitants of Central America to draw out poison and reduce inflammation from poisonous arrow wounds.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence of arrowroot cultivation as far back as 7,000 years ago. In the last century or so, production of traditional arrowroot has been mainly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a Central American island. Rhizomes are harvested from October to May each year. While arrowroot hasn’t been used as much in recent years, a study from 2005 touts it as a new and interesting alternative for food developers. (13) In the last several decades, its use has declined because of the less expensive cornstarch, but that trend could very likely be reversed, as arrowroot offers a healthier, non-GMO alternative as a thickener.

How it works

Arrowroot’s primary mechanism involves its resistant starch, which acts like soluble fiber, forming a viscous gel that slows digestion and promotes satiety. This resistant starch is partially fermented in the colon by gut microbiota, producing beneficial short-chain fatty acids. The starch also exerts a **demulcent effect**, soothing the gastrointestinal mucosa, which helps reduce irritation and promotes healing in ulcers. The niacin content in arrowroot contributes to its **metabolic benefits** by modulating lipid metabolism, specifically by reducing inflammatory cytokines and improving cholesterol profiles. Furthermore, arrowroot may induce **autophagy pathways**, such as Beclin1 expression, which are thought to contribute to its observed chemopreventive effects.

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also, we make these ideas and recommendations to make consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.

For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracting is a process to draw out the most prominent beneficial compound(s) and may also concentrate it to unnatural levels of strength. What is not extracted is thrown away, since it is depleted. These solids are ‘leftovers’ of the extraction process and essentially treated as worthless. However, these can be beneficial in ways scientists have not yet recognized or understand. Another aspect to consider (which is not identified) is if the extraction process, which varies from one herb to the next, causes additional drawbacks. Taking the whole herb avoids these detrimental possibilities. Concentration of beneficial compounds can be important in some cases to increase the health effect of the compound and/or be a good alternative to consuming unrealistically large amounts of the herb for the desired benefit. However, this does not apply to many herbs, so concentrating should be done as needed, not applied to all herbs.

Extracting (tea, tinctures, oils, some capsules, powders, tablets, etc.) is very common and often more convenient for the user, which is often their main appealing feature. However, it also can lead to problems, like liver and other issues, that as far as we know by the current state of research don’t occur in the natural herb form.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
The dosage will change depending on the person using it and their purpose. Arrowroot is primarily used as a small-scale thickener, approximately one to two tablespoons per cup of liquid. Arrowroot powder can be a nutritious supplement in smoothies, baked goods, or other dishes. It is advised to begin with a tiny dose, perhaps 1-2 teaspoons daily, and gradually increase as tolerated.