A herbaceous perennial vine, bearing alternate heart-shaped or palmately lobed leaves and medium-sized sympetalous flowers. The edible tuberous root is long and tapered, with a smooth skin whose color ranges between red, purple, brown and white. Its flesh ranges from white through yellow, orange, and purple.

Galactogogue (aerial parts)

Checklist of Medicinal Plants in Southeast Asia
Philippine Medicinal Plants

Alanine, alpha-linolenic acid, arginine, caffeic acid, calcium oxalate, chlorogenic acid, folacin, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isochlorogenic acid, isoleucine, isoquercitrin, leucine, linoleic acid, lysine, methionine, oleic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pantothenic acid, pectin, phenylalanine, quercetin, scopolin, squalene, stearic acid, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine (root); ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, beta-carotene, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, tocopherol (leaves)

The tops, especially purplish ones, used for diabetes. The leaves are used to treat diabetes, hookworm, hemorrhage, and abscesses. Crushed leaves are applied to boils and acne. The roots are used to treat asthma and as poultice for burns. The boiled roots are used for treating diarrhea. A tea made of roots are used allay thirst.