Potatoes, Sweet (Ipomoea batatas)

Sweet potatoes are nourishing, subtly sweet root vegetables that build core vitality, support blood sugar regulation, and boost liver and digestive health. Their nourishing and grounding nature makes them ideal for alleviating dryness, coldness, and stress-related depletion.

Monograph of

Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas)

• Taste

  Sweet (nourishing, building, anabolic)

  Slightly Salty

• Season

  Autumn

• Qualities

  Heavy (grounding and stabilizing)

  Moist (lubricating and softening)

  Dense (sustaining and nutrient-rich)

  Easy (gently digestible when cooked well)

  Circulating (supports circulation and metabolism)

• Suitability

  This substance is best suitable for these body types (baseline):

  Beneficial for Catabolic (depleted, underweight) and Thermic (heated, inflamed) body types. May aggravate Anabolic (heavier, damp) types if overused.

• Indicated Tissue States

  Tissue states show what imbalances are happening at the tissue level — whether things are too dry, too tense, too inflamed — and what foods or herbs can help fix with long-term use. This substance is best indicated for symptoms with these underlying tissue states:

  Dryness (lack of moisture and lubrication)

  Hypo-Activity (slowed metabolism and circulation)

• Affinities

  Affinities are the targeted tissues that a substance acts on after the release of chemicals. This substance has an affinity for the:

  Digestive tract, blood, liver, adrenals, bones

• Chemical Constituents

  Beta-carotene, vitamins A & C, B6, manganese, fiber, potassium, anthocyanins (in purple varieties)

• Nutritional Value

  (1 cup cooked):
  ~180 kcal, 4 g protein, 8 g fiber, 15 mg vitamin C, 1,096 µg vitamin A RAE, 542 mg potassium

• Preparation Methods

  Baked, boiled, mashed, roasted—best eaten warm and topped with digestible fats or herbs

Medicinal Actions of

Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas)

• Nervous system

  Neuroprotective – Sweet potatoes, especially orange and purple varieties, are rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins and beta-carotene, which protect brain tissue from oxidative damage and may support cognitive function and memory over time.

  Mood-supportive – Their complex carbohydrates promote gradual glucose release, which helps stabilize mood and energy, especially in thermic (formerly called pitta/metabolic) constitutions prone to blood sugar swings and irritability.

• Digestive System

  Mildly laxative – Their fiber content supports regular bowel movements without being overly stimulating, helping to clear heat and stagnation without exacerbating cold constitutions.

  Liver supportive (beta-carotene enhances detox)

  Gut-soothing – Cooked sweet potatoes are naturally soft and moistening (especially when well-cooked), making them easy on the stomach and supportive for individuals with dry, atrophic, or irritated digestion.

• Circulatory System

  Blood-builder (vitamin A & B6 support RBCs)

  Hypotensive (potassium aids blood pressure regulation)

  Cholesterol-modulating – The soluble fiber in sweet potatoes, especially in the skin, may help bind and remove LDL (bad cholesterol) from the digestive tract before it enters the bloodstream.

• Endocrine System

  Hypoglycemic (fiber and complex carbs stabilize blood sugar)

  Blood sugar-regulating (modulating) – Despite being sweet and starchy, sweet potatoes have a relatively low glycemic load when cooked properly (e.g., baked or steamed). The fiber helps slow sugar absorption, making them stabilizing for mild blood sugar dysregulation.

  Adrenal-nourishing – Their dense nutrition and complex carbs help fuel tired adrenals in depleted individuals, particularly those in chronic stress states with thermic/catabolic tendencies.

• Muscuskeletal System

  Bone-supportive (manganese and vitamin C support repair)

  Immune Modulating (systemic) – The presence of natural antioxidants helps modulate inflammatory responses, making sweet potatoes supportive for people with joint pain or muscle recovery needs.

  Muscle fuel – Rich in potassium and easily digestible carbohydrates, sweet potatoes help nourish muscle tissues and replenish glycogen stores, especially useful for anabolic types and physically active individuals.

• Lymphatic & Detoxification System

  Immune-nourishing – The high beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A) strengthens mucosal immunity, especially in the gut and respiratory tract, while the overall nutrient density supports immune resilience during seasonal transitions or recovery phases.

  Liver-supportive – The antioxidant profile aids the liver’s phase II detoxification pathways by reducing oxidative stress and providing nourishment for detox processes.

  Lymphatic mover (gentle) – The moistening quality of sweet potatoes may help facilitate lymphatic flow in dry and sluggish constitutions, particularly in catabolic types experiencing dryness and stagnation.

• Respiratory System

  Mucosal tonic – The vitamin A activity and moistening nature of sweet potatoes help maintain healthy epithelial tissue in the lungs and sinuses, particularly for dry or irritated respiratory passages.

Traditional & Modern Sources

USDA FoodData Central. Nutrient profile of cooked sweet potato. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

Bovell-Benjamin, A. C. (2007). Sweet potato: a review of its past, present, and future role in human nutrition. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 52, 1–59.

Bhaskar, J. J., et al. (2011). Beneficial effects of sweet potato bioactive compounds on diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Nutrition Research, 31(8), 591–602.

Oki, T., et al. (2002). Radical scavenging activity of anthocyanins and polyphenols from purple sweet potato. Food Chemistry, 75(4), 537–542.

Ayensu, E. S. (1972). Medicinal Plants of West Africa. Reference for traditional gastrointestinal and inflammatory uses.