What are the traditional uses of Dioscorea bulbifera?

Dioscorea bulbifera has 21 documented traditional uses in the Verdica ethnobotanical reference database. This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the FDA.

What phytochemicals are found in Dioscorea bulbifera?

Dioscorea bulbifera contains 38 documented phytochemical compounds in the Verdica database.

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Dioscorea bulbifera

Air Potato

Family: Dioscoreaceae • Genus: Dioscorea • Region: TEMPERATE ASIA: China (east & south). TROPICAL ASIA: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, AUSTRALASIA: Australia, Queensland, Western Australia (north), Northern Territory, AFRICA: Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Côte D Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion., United States

Summary: Dioscorea bulbifera (Air Potato) is a plant in the Dioscoreaceae family. Verdica documents 21 traditional uses, 38 phytochemical compounds, and 0 herb-drug interactions for this species.

Traditional Uses

Phytochemicals

Herb-Drug Interactions

Edibility Records

Pet Toxicity Records

About Dioscorea bulbifera

Dioscorea bulbifera or commonly known as Aerial Yam is a perennial, non-spiny, climbing plant up to 10 m long. It has a woody, tuberous rootstock and heart-shaped broad leaves. The twining stems produce aerial axillary bulbils that are edible. The plant is native to Africa, southern Asia, Maldives, and northern Australia. Some varieties are edible and cultivated as a food crop while others are poisonous. Aerial tubers should be thoroughly to destroy toxic alkaloid. Tubers are also cooked. It is also used medicinally to treat conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, dysentery. Root juice is taken to expel threadworm. Fruits are used to treat boils and fevers.

Care Information

Sunlight	Full sun
Watering	Moderate — keep soil moist
Soil	Well-drained, sandy, loamy
Hardiness Zone	USDA 9-12

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Disclaimer: The statements on this page regarding traditional uses of plants have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Traditional use information is presented for educational and historical reference purposes only, reflecting documented ethnobotanical practices. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal preparation, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have any medical condition. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 (US) or your local emergency number immediately.

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