Solanum tuberosum L.

Family: Solanaceae

Synonym:Solanum cultum Berthault, Solanum fonckii Phil. 

Bengali/Vernacular name: Alu, Gol alu.

Tribal name: Mraa-u-shey (Rakhaing).

English name: Potato.

Description of the plant: A perennial herb with rough, pinnate leaves. Flowers rather large, white or purple, star-shaped, and borne on compound inflorescences, 3-4 cm in diameter. Roots grow round and edible fleshy tubers.

Plant parts used: Leaf, tuber.

Herbal uses: Decoction of leaves is used as remedy for chronic cough.

Mashed potato is taken for the treatment of diarrhoea.                                    

Peel and slice a potato and apply a slice to the affected skin until the potato warms up, repeat as necessary for the treatment of inflammation.

Peeled fresh potatoes have been pounded in a mortar and then applied cold as a soothing plaster to burns and scalds.

Chronic constipation, gout, kidney stones, and dropsy have been treated with a potato diet.

Fresh juice extracted from the potato is taken once a day in the morning on an empty stomach to treat gastric acidity and gastric ulcer.

The plant is used to treat scurvy, dyspepsia, hyperacidity, gout, and arthritis.

One or two tea spoons pressed out of mashed, raw potatoes are taken to relieve rheumatism.

Distribution: It is cultivated throughout the country.

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