Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng.
Summary
Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) are a herb 30-50 cm tall of the Amaryllidaceae family, widely cultivated and consumed in Southeast Asia, China, and India, with a name derived from the Hokkien language. Besides being an essential ingredient in Chinese cuisine, garlic chives are also used in beauty care due to their beta-carotene content, which brightens the skin. Traditionally, this plant is believed to lower the risk of prostate cancer and support heart health.
Agroecology
Garlic chives can grow in temperate and tropical climates, at elevations up to ± 1,700 m above sea level. Grows best in fertile, moist soil with good drainage, soil pH in the range of 6-6.8, tolerating 5.3-8.3. Suited to sunny conditions to slight shade.
Morphology
- Roots consist of an elongated bulb with root fibers growing on the bulb.
- Bulb slender, cone-shaped, growing in a dense clump, white.
- Leaves straight, hollow tube-shaped, narrow and flat, green, 15-50 cm long.
- Flowers pale white, star-shaped with six petals, surrounded by a thin bract.
- Fruit a capsule divided into 3 chambers with 1-2 seeds. Turns brown and splits open when dry and mature.
- Seeds small, black, and glossy.
Cultivation
- Propagated through seed or by separating shoots, offshoots, or clumps.
- Quality seedlings come from a healthy, pest- and disease-free plant, 2-3 months old.
Chemical Content
Leaves: sulfides, linalool, flavonoid glycosides. Seeds: saponins, steroids, daucosterol, adenosine, thymidine. Roots: spirostanol saponins (tuberosine A, B, and C), pyrazines. Whole plant: essential oil.
Benefits
Lowers the risk of prostate cancer; helps prevent stomach and esophageal cancer; lowers high blood pressure; supports bone, brain, and kidney health; lowers cholesterol and body weight; helps prevent stroke and heart disease; addresses erectile dysfunction; treats wounds.
Simplisia
- Prepare a sufficient amount of garlic chive seeds and wash under running water.
- Dry for several days.
- Once completely dry, store the dried material in a sterile, airtight container.
Local Names
Information not found. Further research needed.
Traditional Recipes
The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.
1. Erectile Dysfunction
- Prepare 15 g garlic chive seeds, 15 g dried bitter melon seeds, 20g ginger, 5 g coriander, 5 g black pepper.
- Grind all ingredients and boil in 600 ml of water until boiling and the water is reduced to 200 ml.
- Drink while warm and regularly every day. Garlic chive seeds can be purchased at Chinese medicine shops.
2. Wounds
- Prepare a sufficient amount of garlic chive leaves and bulbs.
- Wash thoroughly and pound until mashed.
- Apply to the wound.
Reference Sources
- Hembing. 2008. Ramuan Lengkap Herbal Taklukkan Penyakit. Pustaka Bunda, Jakarta.
- Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Allium tuberosum. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Allium+tuberosum .16-06-2020.