Arrowroot
Scientific names: Maranta arundinacea
Family: Marantaceae
Alternate names: Arrow-Root, Arrurruz, Dictame, Herbe aux Flèches, Maranta, Marante, Marante Arundinacée
Actions: Antiviral, Gastrointestinal
Background
Arrowroot is a plant. People use the root and rhizome (underground stem) of arrowroot as a source of starch. It is also sometimes used to make medicine.
Arrowroot is used for a long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS), diarrhea, other stomach and intestinal disorders, painful gums, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Arrowroot is used in foods, such as cookies. It is also used as an ingredient in cooking. However, arrowroot is often replaced with cheaper starches, including potato, corn, wheat, or rice starch.
Arrowroot is used for a long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS), diarrhea, other stomach and intestinal disorders, painful gums, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Arrowroot is used in foods, such as cookies. It is also used as an ingredient in cooking. However, arrowroot is often replaced with cheaper starches, including potato, corn, wheat, or rice starch.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Arrowroot is LIKELY SAFE when the starch is used in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it safe when used in the larger amounts found in medicine. It might cause constipation and stomach discomfort.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if arrowroot is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if arrowroot is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Arrowroot is POSSIBLY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women when taken by mouth in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if arrowroot is safe to use in the larger amounts found in medicine. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Early research suggests that taking powdered arrowroot with meals for one month reduces stomach pain and diarrhea in people with IBS.
- Diarrhea.
- Soothing mucous membranes, such as the mouth and gum linings.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of arrowroot depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for arrowroot. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Arrowroot interacts with any medicines. Before taking Arrowroot, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
There is some scientific evidence that arrowroot may help get rid of cholesterol in the body. There isn't enough information to know how it works for stomach and intestinal problems or for other uses.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 05/12/2014 23:51:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
