Medicinal & Other Uses
- The stem of the raw taro can be used to rub on insect bites to relieve the pain and stop the bite from swelling.
- Raw rootstock was rubbed on wounds to stop it from bleeding.
- Poi was used to prevent wounds from getting infected.
- Some infections respond to the use of taro leaves mashed with Hawai`i salt. Just cover and wrap you injury with the large taro leaf.
- Poi can be used as a paste to hold things together.
- The juice from the poni was used to make dyes.
- Poi is used to settle the stomach.
- Poi mixed with ripe noni fruit can be applied topically for boils.
- Poi can be mixed with pia (arrowroot starch) and taken for diarrhea.
- Mud from the taro patch was used as a black dye for lauhala and kapa cloth, while some leaf-stem juice created red dye.
- It is completely hypoallergenic which makes poi work as a good food substitute for people with allergies.