This amazing herbal food is also known as purple yam. It’s commonly known as “Raja ala” ( රාජ අල ) in Sri Lanka. ( also “dam ala” / dan dina ala ). It’s a very interesting and attractive tuber, Because of it’s vivid violet-purple to bright lavender colour and it’s medicinal properties. But, It also has cream to plain white variety.
This amazing purple yam has been using in Sri Lanka Since ancient times. In most parts of Sri Lanka, there are two varieties of purple yam that can be grown. Both varieties include light purple and dark purple on the back bark.
Distribution – India, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Madagascar, Philippines, Japan and Sri Lanka
Edible tubers have a mildly sweet and nutty taste. It reminiscences of sweet potatoes. It is widely used for a variety of various countries desserts, as well as an ingredient/flavour for ice cream, milk, Swiss rolls, doughnuts, tarts, cookies, cupcakes, cakes, jam and other types of pastries. It’s also used as food colouring agent.
Purple yam has been used as a laxative and vermifuge. It is also used for fever, gonorrhoea, leprosy, tumors, and inflamed haemorrhoids in ayurvedic treatments and diets. When boiled, It is high in starch food and can eat as a main meal. It has relatively high levels of oxalates.
In Sri Lanka, It’s a very popular food for morning meal among traditional people. Traditional peoples well know about its medicinal properties. Mostly, Boiled purple yam tuber is eaten with coconut. Eating with coconut helps for well digestion.
How to make 👇
Get purple yam tubers as you need. Wash them well and cut few pieces as you want to eat. boil it very well and add salt before off the cooker. and eat with coconut.
Benefits
01. Controls blood pressure
02. Prevents blood clots
03. Makes the body cool
04. Promotes blood circulation
05. Helps to cure haemorrhoid
06. Makes digestion easier
07. Works against bacterias
08. Beneficial for dry skins
09. High in nutritionals
10. Strengthens the body
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Dioscoreales
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Genus: Dioscorea
Species: D. alata
Binomial name: Dioscorea alata
