What is Arrowroot?

Arrowroot or arrowroot starch is a powdery product extracted from the roots of the arrowroot plant, Maranta arundinaceae. The arrowroot plant, also known as ‘Ararot‘ in Hindi, is native to South America. It is a small, perennial herb with broad, flat, ovate-shaped leaves and grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet.

It is a small, perennial herb with broad, flat, ovate-shaped leaves and grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet. The root is underground and is a small, cylindrical-shaped, cream-white/light red tuber, covered with thin surface scales. Arrowroot is mostly used as food thickener but it can be eaten on it’s own either roasted, boiled or stewed. They have a lot of nutrients and they are gluten-free. They have many health benefits like aids in digestion, boosts immunity, treat urinary tract infection, maintains acid and alkali balance.

According to Peter Mwita(a farmer in Kenya), arrowroots should be medium spaced for better sizes. Too big spaces produce large arrowroots which are not very tasty. Whereas, small spaces produces small-sized arrowroots

Arrowroot History

Archaeological studies in the Americas show evidence of arrowroot cultivation as early as 7,000 years ago. The name may come from Aru-Aru (meal of meals) in the language of the Caribbean Arawak people, for whom the plant was a staple. It has also been suggested that the name comes from arrowroot’s use in treating poison-arrow wounds, as it draws out the poison when applied to the site of the injury.

In the early days of carbonless copy paper, arrowroot, because of its fine grain-size, was a widely used ingredient. After an economical way of centrifugally separating wheat flour was devised, arrowroot lost its role in papermaking.

How to Use Arrowroot

To use arrowroot powder, you can mix it into juice or other beverages and drink it straight, although it’s important to follow recommended guidelines for consumption. For relief of mouth and gum pain (as noted above), you may apply the powder directly to the gums.

When cooking with arrowroot, it’s useful to note that it will break down more easily in longer, high-heat cooking than cornstarch, for which it’s often used as an alternative. Therefore, it’s generally a good idea to use it at the end of cooking.

If you’re using it to thicken sauces, soups, stews, or gravies, you’ll begin by creating a “slurry.” “Slurry” is a fun word that refers to what you get after mixing the powder into a cold liquid (like water or milk). Then, simply pour the slurry into the hot sauce and allow it to thicken. Arrowroot will create a glossy look in final sauces and stews.

In addition to thickening sauces, this powder is great for baking and desserts to give more structure and body to the finished product. It may also be utilized as a binder in omelets or other items in which you may want to substitute eggs. This makes it a handy product for people on a vegan diet; plus, it’s gluten-free, and pairs well with all gluten-free flour!

And, just in case you were wondering … it’s got a few more interesting applications that have nothing to do with food!

In 1901, the J.W. Butler Paper Company wrote a description of paper-making processes from the earliest known record down to the present time. They explain a process of special photographic paper production that included the use of arrowroot in water, along with sodium, chloride and a small amount of citric acid.

If you’re not into antique paper-making, arrowroot could also be a great natural beauty product to add to your natural skincare routine. It can be used to create a light shade of homemade blush, dry out blemishes, substitute for baby powder and even make deodorant (find my recipe below)!

Arrowroot Nutrition

The health benefits of this starch-rich, underground, creeping rhizome can be attributed to its nutritional value. The raw tuber is in its most nutritious state. The processing of arrowroot into flour decreases its nutritional value considerably. Its nutritional profile is explained below:

Vitamins: Arrowroot is a rich source of vitamins. An eight-ounce serving of raw arrowroot provides 1% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin A. As far as B-complex vitamins are concerned, it provides 22% of the RDI of thiamine, 8% of the RDI of riboflavin, and 19% of the RDI of niacin. These B-vitamins help your body break down food into energy. However, the processing of arrowroot reduces these nutrients drastically. Fresh arrowroot also provides 30% of the RDI of vitamin B6, 7% for pantothenic acid, and 192% for folate, while the flour contains just 1% of the RDI of vitamin B-6, 3% for pantothenic acid, and just 4% for folate.Calories: Arrowroot is very low in calories. A 100 gram serving of fresh roots provides just 65 calories, which is less than that of potato, yam, cassava, etc. It’s starch content is 80% amylopectin and 20% amylose.

Minerals: As far as minerals are concerned, arrowroot flour has a higher nutritional value than raw arrowroot. 8 ounces of fresh arrowroot contains 1% of the RDI of calcium and 20% of the RDI of manganese. A similar amount of arrowroot flour has 9% of the RDI of calcium and 53% of the RDI of manganese. It is an excellent source of potassium with a 100-gram serving providing 454 mg of this mineral, which is 10% of the RDI. It contains lesser amounts of other minerals like copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.

Protein: Proteins are components of every part of your body, where they are broken down continuously. 8 ounces of raw arrowroot provides about 19% of the recommended daily intake of protein, while the same amount of arrowroot flour provides just 1% of the RDI of protein. In fact, it contains more protein than other tropical food sources like yam, potato, cassava, plantains, etc.

Other Nutrients: Arrowroot flour has a higher content of carbohydrates as well as dietary fiber. While the raw root contains 10% of the RDI of carbohydrates, the flour contains 67% of the RDI of this group. Similarly, the amount of fiber is 12% and 31% of the RDI for raw root and flour respectively.

Arrowroot

Health Benefits of Arrowroot

The easy digestibility and ability to mix well with a wide range of food ingredients make the arrowroot the most sought-after starch in infant formulas and confectionaries. In addition to its culinary uses, it offers several health benefits as given below.

1. Aids in Digestion

Arrowroot aids digestion and regulates the bowel movement. Its high starch content acts as a mild laxative for those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. The demulcent effects of arrowroot powder can soothe the bowels in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Arrowroot starch is also considered an effective remedy for diarrhea and a lot of other gastrointestinal ailments. It can relieve nausea and replace nutrients that are lost due to diarrhea and vomiting.

2. Blood Pressure

Arrowroot is an excellent source of potassium, which acts as a vasodilator
and relaxes the tension in the blood vessels and arteries. It also an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate the heart rate and blood pressure.

3. Aids in weight loss

Arrowroot is free from fat and low in calories which makes it beneficial for weight loss.

4. Treats Urinary Tract Infection

Arrowroot is a demulcent, which is simply a soothing substance used to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes. The antiseptic properties of arrowroot help treat UTI’s and also prevent some future flare-ups.

5. Treats Diarrhea

Due to its demulcent (soothing) effects, arrowroot has commonly been used in the treatment of diarrhea. It reduces inflammation and eases abdominal pain caused by diarrhea. It is reported that in people with irritable bowel syndrome, arrowroot reduces diarrhea by bulking up the stool.

6. Maintains Acid And Alkali Balances

Calcium ash is the only starch product present in arrowroot. This calcium chloride, in the form of calcium, is vital for the maintenance of proper acid and alkali balances in the human body.

7. Foetal Development

Arrowroots contain vitamin B12 and folate which is an essential component in DNA synthesis and cell division. The adequate consumption of folate during the preconception periods and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects and other congenital malformations in the offspring.

8. Suitable for infants

Arrowroots are easily digested compared to other starches and it can be made into jelly to feed newly weaned infants. It can also be used as an alternative to breast milk as it is easily digestible.

9. Antidote For Poisoning

Arrowroot is often used as an antidote for certain types of vegetable poison in some regions. Ground arrowroot rhizomes are applied over wounds and insect bites and are said to be effective in drawing out poison from the bites of scorpions, spiders, etc.

10. Prevents Anemia

Arrowroots contain copper and iron which are essential in the formation of red blood cells which makes arrowroot excellent for preventing anemia.

11. Gluten-Free

Arrowroot is a great alternative for those who are allergic to corn and gluten. It can be used as a substitute for wheat flour and is a popular ingredient in gluten-free baking.

12. Antidote For Poisoning

Arrowroot is often used as an antidote for certain types of vegetable poison in some regions. Ground arrowroot rhizomes are applied over wounds and insect bites and are said to be effective in drawing out poison from the bites of scorpions, spiders, etc.

13. Beneficial In Pregnancy

Fresh roots are a good source of folates that are vital during pregnancy. A 100 gram serving of arrowroot provides about 338 µg or 84% of the daily required levels of folates. Along with vitamin B12, folate is an essential component in DNA synthesis and cell division. The adequate consumption of folate during the preconception periods and during pregnancy helps prevent neural tube defects and other congenital malformations in the offspring.

14. Heart Health

Arrowroot is an excellent source of potassium, which is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate the heart rate and blood pressure.

Arrowroot Skin Benefits:

Arrowroot is a great herbal remedy for treating various skin problems. It can be beneficial for your skin in the following ways.

15. Treatment Of Small Pox And Gangrene

Arrowroot is an herbal treatment for smallpox and gangrene that can cause skin infection and itchiness.

16. Baby Powder

In South America, arrowroot starch is used as baby powder. It is a lightweight, white powder, which, when applied to the skin, gives a soft and smooth feel.

17. Used In Moisturizers And Talcum Powders

Arrowroot starch is used in talcum powders and moisturizers as a thickening agent. When used in cosmetics, it enables active ingredients to penetrate the upper levels of your skin as it has great moisture-absorbing qualities. Arrowroot is often used in body powders to make your skin silkier and smoother. It softens your skin by enabling it to absorb moisture.

18. Treatment Of Skin Problems

Arrowroot powder is light, soft and absorbent. It is used in making body powders. When applied topically, it helps dry blemishes, rashes or other sores, or wounds.

19. Treatment Of Athlete’s Foot

Arrowroot is used to control moisture while dealing with foot problems such as athlete’s foot. Since it does not possess antifungal properties, it is used for moisture control only.

20. Healing Qualities

Arrowroot has great healing qualities. It is made into a poultice and applied topically to treat rhizomes, ulcers, and wounds. In Africa, it is used as a source of nourishment and for the treatment of sunburns.

Arrowroot Hair Benefits:

Arrowroot is widely used in cosmetic products as a thickening agent. Though not much is known about its benefits for hair, its nutritional value does make it beneficial in hair care.

21. Used In Hair Dyes:

Due to its excellent thickening properties and ability to mix with other ingredients, arrowroot is often used in hair dyes.

How To Select And Store Arrowroot

Commercial arrowroot is available in the form of its powder (flour) and is generally intended to use as a stabilizer/thickener in the food industries. When added to boiled water, it turns into thin, translucent, odorless jelly. The root itself, however, has found no or minimal use in cooking.

Fresh tender arrowroot can be eaten raw and in cooking as you may use it in a way like any other tubers. However, mature roots are exceedingly fibrous and thus, less appetizing.

If you intend to buy the arrowroot flour, look for branded products displaying authenticity, quality, and pureness. Adulteration with cheap substances such as cornstarch, potato powder, tapioca, etc., is a common practice. Do not buy loose/opened packs.

Once at home, store the pack in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight. Do not refrigerate.

Preparation And Serving methods For Arrowroot

To prepare arrowroot powder; a fine quality tender roots are selected. Wash them thoroughly in cold water. Scrape or peel the outer layer. At the processing units, the tubers pounded in a mortar until it becomes a single mass. A clear milk-like liquid extracted which is then filtered using a cheesecloth. The milk obtained thus is then dried under sunlight to get a fine, white arrowroot powder.

In general, arrowroot flour is added as a thickener, colloidal stabilizer, a binding agent in liquid-based recipes. It has several advantages over other starchy flours. It mixes well in low-temperature cooking and gives stable viscosity to the recipes. It has a neutral taste, prevents dextrinization (breaking carbohydrates to dextrins), and can be added to acidic-based recipes. However, it will not get along well with dairy-based recipes as it turns them slimy. One tablespoonful of flour is enough to thicken one cup of liquid.

Here are some serving tips:

• Arrowroot flour is employed in confectionaries as a thickening agent to make cakes, gels, mousse; and in kitchens to prepare soups, sauce, dressings, gravy, etc.
• Mix its flour to give perfect shapes to biscuits, cookies, and pastries while reducing cholesterol-rich solid fats (trans-fats).

Arrowroot Recipe

1. The Best Gooey Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are something for which everyone needs to have a good recipe, even paleo eaters. You never know when you’ll crave them, and if you use this fabulous recipe, you’ll have a way to satisfy! This recipe uses arrowroot to help keep the cookies chewy and gooey.

Ingredients

• 4 Tbs coconut oil, melted
• 4 Tbs of mashed avocado
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups almond flour
• 2 Tbs coconut flour (Nutiva is all I use)
• 1 Tbs arrowroot flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup enjoy life mini chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips: dairy-free, nut-free chocolate)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with a silicone cookie sheet liner.
2. In a large bowl, mix the coconut oil and mashed avocado together with an electric hand-held mixer until very mashed, about 15 seconds. Add the honey and maple syrup to the bowl and mix for another 15 seconds. Add the vanilla and the egg to the bowl; beat until just incorporated for 10-15 seconds.
3. In another bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut flour, arrowroot flour, baking soda, and salt with a fork.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and mix with a hand-held mixer until creamy. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Take large spoonfuls of the dough and place them onto the cookie sheet. This should result in 12 large balls.
6. Lightly press down on them with the back of a spoon.
7. Bake for 12 minutes or until the cookies look puffy and dry and just barely golden. Let them sit for 10 mins on the pan, then remove them from pan. Note: eating them right away is a great option too.

Another note: if you don’t want them to be gooey, cook them longer

What Is Arrowroot Powder?

They contain about 23% starch. Before extracting the starch, they are washed and the scales are removed to avoid any disagreeable flavor. The roots are washed, drained, and reduced to a pulp by beating them in mortars. This milky liquid is passed through a coarse cloth and the insoluble, pure starch is allowed to settle at the bottom. This starch is dried in the sun or “drying house”, resulting in the formation of arrowroot powder. This powder is fine, clear white, and odorless, and is used as a thickening agent in food industries.

Arrowroot starch is mostly used as a thickener in foods such as puddings and sauces. Its thickening power is twice that of regular flour. It should be mixed with cold water before being added to a hot liquid to prevent clumping. It is also used in cookies and crackers as a substitute for regular flour and hence, is a great option for those who are gluten-intolerant. Arrowroot biscuits are available in stores and are believed to soothe the stomach.

Health Benefits of Arrowroot Powder

1.Aids in metabolism

Arrowroot powder is high in vitamin B which regulates metabolic processes in the body, from hormonal and circadian rhythms.

2. Aids digestion

Arrowroot powder has a high fiber content which helps to move food through the intestines in an efficient manner and stimulates the absorption of nutrients. This can eliminate the problem of blood sugar levels to prevent the onset of diabetes. Finally, dietary fiber can help to clear excess cholesterol, further promoting heart health.

3. Helps in metabolism

Arrowroot powder is high in vitamin B which regulates metabolic processes in the body, from hormonal and circadian rhythms.

4. Help the circulation oxygen

A rich blend of nutrients found in arrowroot includes copper and iron. Both minerals are of crucial importance because an important part of red blood cells, which makes arrowroot excellent for preventing anemia. By increasing circulation in the body, will encourage the circulation of oxygen properly. This is can increase your energy level.

5. Treat Wounds

Arrowroot powder mixed with water for a thick paste can be used as an ointment to heal wounds.

6. Heart Health

Arrowroot powder contains potassium which acts as a vasodilator and relaxes the tension in the blood vessels and arteries, thus lowering blood pressure and reduce your risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Potassium is also known as a cognitive enhancer, expedites the flow of oxygenated blood to the brain.

7. Boosts Immunity

Arrowroot powder has cytotoxic properties that help in building immunity. An evaluation of the immunostimulatory effect of arrowroot in 2012 proved that those same tuber extracts encouraged the immune systems of cells, both when tested in vitro (in test tubes) and in vivo (in a live animal), again proving the usefulness of arrowroot in boosting immune system
health.

8. Skin Care

Arrowroot powder is light, soft and absorbent. It is used in making body powders. When applied topically, it helps dry blemishes, rashes or other sores, or wounds.

Arrowroot starch is used in talcum powders and moisturizers as a thickening agent. When used in cosmetics, it enables active ingredients to penetrate the upper levels of your skin as it has great moisture-absorbing qualities. Arrowroot is often used in body powders to make your skin silkier and smoother. It softens your skin by enabling it to absorb moisture.

9. Treatment Of Athlete’s Foot

Arrowroot is used to control moisture while dealing with foot problems such as athlete’s foot. Since it does not possess antifungal properties, it is used for moisture control only.

10. Maintains Acid And Alkali Balances

Calcium ash is the only starch product present in arrowroot. This calcium chloride, in the form of calcium, is vital for the maintenance of proper acid and alkali balances in the human body.

Negative Effects Of Arrowroot

As with any herbal remedy, caution should be exercised when taking arrowroot. While a doctor should always be consulted before using herbal remedies, use special caution before giving it to children, pregnant or nursing mothers, or anyone with kidney or liver disease.

If considering arrowroot for infant formula, consult the child’s pediatrician first and monitor closely for allergic reactions. There are no known side effects linked to arrowroot, and it is not known to have any adverse interactions with drugs or chemicals in food.

When using the herb to alleviate diarrhea, it should not be taken with any other medication or supplement for diarrhea, as this may lead to constipation.

Safety profile

Arrowroot is relatively safe for human consumption. It is gluten-free. Its powder may be added to baby foods and infant formulas.