Distribution and habitat:
Tacca integrifolia is a tropical herb with a core distribution in Southeast Asia. In the wild, this plant occurs in the understory of rain forests in deep shade, but in a diversity of soil types. The species is most often found growing in accumulations of decayed organic matter.
The species is native to hilly regions of tropical and subtropical central Asia. It is known from Pakistan, eastern India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and eastern China. It grows in the understory of humid rainforests, growing in the leaf litter in shady sites.
Efficacy:
The herbal plant (roots, leaves and fruit) is boiled and the decoction is consumed twice a day to ease hemorrhoid and in the management of blood pressure and cholesterol level.
This plant is quite popular in the East Coast, Malay Peninsula. The decoction of the roots of this plant is traditionally used as a bath water for the treatment of women after childbirth, which is to remove wind in the body.
The fronds of the leaves can be used to treat itching on the skin due to exposure to caterpillars.