What is the difference between cassava and sweet potato?

In fact, many friends mistakenly distinguish cassava and sweet potato. Some friends even mistakenly think these two ingredients are the same, which is also wrong. Cassava is also called manioc, while sweet potato is what we commonly call sweet potato. The effects of cassava and sweet potato are also very different. Cassava is mainly used to treat iron injuries and scabies, while sweet potato mainly promotes large intestine motility and decomposes toxins in the body.

1. Cassava and sweet potato

Cassava, also known as South Asian yam, sweet yam, and manioc, is a tuberous root of the Euphorbiaceae family. Mainly distributed in tropical areas. It is a shrub-like perennial crop. The stem is erect, woody, 2-5m high, with simple leaves alternate, deeply palmately lobed, papery, and lanceolate. Unisexual flowers, panicles, terminal, monoecious. Cassava was introduced to China in the 1820s and was first cultivated in Gaozhou, Guangdong Province, and then introduced to Hainan Island. It is now widely distributed in southern China, with the largest cultivation in Guangxi, Guangdong and Hainan. It has also been introduced and trial-planted in the southern regions of Fujian, Yunnan, Jiangxi, Sichuan and Guizhou provinces.

Sweet potato, commonly known as sweet potato in the south (in the northeast dialect, red potato, red taro, white potato, fennel taro, purple potato, sweet potato, red potato, golden potato, etc., also known as yam, sweet potato, sweet potato, white taro, etc. Sweet potato belongs to the order Tubulales, annual herbaceous plant of the family Convolvulaceae, more than 2 meters long, lying flat on the ground obliquely upward, the leaves are usually broad ovate, 4-13 cm long and 3-13 cm wide, the corolla is pink, white, lavender or purple, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, 3-4 cm long, the capsule is ovate or oblate, with a false septum, divided into 4 chambers, with underground tubers, the tubers are spindle-shaped, and the outer skin is earthy yellow or purple-red.

So, cassava is not sweet potato.

2. The efficacy and function of cassava

1. Reduce swelling and detoxify. It is used for carbuncles, ulcers, swelling and pain caused by contusions, traumatic swelling and pain, scabies, stubborn ringworm, etc.

2. Cassava starch can be used to make alcohol, fructose, glucose, maltose, MSG, beer, bread, biscuits, shrimp crackers, vermicelli, sauces, as well as plastic fibers, plastic films, resins, coatings, adhesives and other chemical products.

3. When using cassava tubers and leaves as food and feed, attention should be paid to detoxification, i.e. soaking in water, slicing and drying, peeling and steaming, grinding and making starch, etc. Drying of slices can generally remove 75% of hydrocyanic acid, and the content is very low after processing into starch. Sweet varieties can be safely used after peeling and steaming or slicing and drying. Bitter varieties can also be eaten and fed after detoxification, but are mainly used to process starch.

3. Medicinal value of cassava

1. Cassava has a good effect of reducing swelling and detoxifying. At the same time, eating cassava can also treat carbuncles and ulcers.

2. Cassava can also relieve swelling and pain, and is good for bruises and injuries. It is also beneficial for some symptoms such as swelling and pain caused by external injuries, scabies, and stubborn ringworm.

3. Cassava can also brighten hair. It also has the effect of strengthening the brain and improving eyesight.

4. Cassava is also a good lung-warming food. It is good for the cardiovascular system and liver. It also has a good spleen and stomach strengthening effect and has a good intestinal moisturizing effect.

5. Cassava also has the function of nourishing the skin and beautifying the skin. It has the functions of inhibiting cancer and tumor, nourishing yin and replenishing deficiency, and anti-aging and anti-radiation.