Yambean

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Mexico, Java, Latin America, Guatemala, Dominican Republic

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Anodyne, Dermatosis, Gout, Insecticide

Science studied: ADENINE, ARGININE, ASCORBIC-ACID, CALCIUM

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific name: Pachyrhizus erosus

Common names: Yambean, Bangkuang, Batata de burro, Bengkuang, Jicama, Jikama, Manioc cochon, Mexican-potato, Pachyrhize rongé, Pachyrhize rongé, Pois manioc, Manioc cochon, Pois cochon, Pois cochon, Pois manioc, Singkamas, Yam Bean, Yam bean, Yambohne, Yamboon, chicam

POWO: 179936-2 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Mexico, Java, Elsewhere, Latin America, Guatemala, Dominican Republic.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Anodyne
• Dermatosis
• Gout
• Insecticide
• Laxative
• Pediculicide
• Piscicide
• Poison

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Mexico
• Java
• Elsewhere
• Latin America
• Guatemala
• Dominican Republic

Documented cultural uses

• Anodyne
• Dermatosis
• Gout
• Insecticide
• Laxative
• Pediculicide
• Piscicide
• Poison
• Prickly-heat
• Thirst
• Vermifuge
• Larvicide

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Anodyne · Mexico · "
• Dermatosis · Java · "
• Gout · Mexico · "
• Insecticide · Elsewhere · "
• Laxative · Java · "
• Pediculicide · Mexico · "
• Piscicide · Elsewhere · "
• Piscicide · Latin America · "
• Poison · Guatemala · "
• Poison · Dominican Republic · "
• Poison · Elsewhere · "
• Prickly-heat · Java · "
• Thirst · Mexico · "
• Vermifuge · Elsewhere · "
• Vermifuge · Java · "
• Poison · Mexico · "
• Poison · Latin America · "
• Insecticide · Latin America · "
• Larvicide · Elsewhere · "
• Laxative · Elsewhere · "
• Scabies · Mexico · "

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Development of an efficient in vitro plant regeneration protocol and evaluation of genetic stability in yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) · 2026 source ↗
• Synthesis of Jicama (<i>Pachyrhizus erosus</i>) Starch Particles by Electrospraying: Effect of the Hydrolysis Degree. · 2025 source ↗
• Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of the Tuber and Peel of <i>Pachyrhizus erosus</i>. · 2025 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ADENINE
• ARGININE
• ASCORBIC-ACID
• CALCIUM
• CARBOHYDRATES
• CHOLINE
• COPPER
• DEHYDRONEOTENONE
• DOLICHONE
• EICOSENOIC-ACID
• EROSNIN
• EROSONE
• FIBER
• GLYCINE
• HEXADECANOIC-ACID
• HISTIDINE

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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