English: Yam bean, Jicama
Tagalog: Singkamas

a Central American climbing plant of the pea family, which has been cultivated for its edible tubers (jicama) since pre-Columbian times. Also known as Jimaca, Mexican turnip, Mexican yam or Mexican potato and usually eaten raw but can also be cooked with a variety of dishes.

Spread of Jicama to Asia
Spaniards spread cultivation of singkamas from Mexico to Philippines, from there it went to China and other parts of Southeast Asia, where popular uses of raw yam bean include fresh “lumpia” in the Philippines and salads in Singapore and Malaysia such as yusheng and rojak.

Medicinal use:

• Decoction of the jicama roots are used as a diuretic.
• Warmed poultice of the stem pulp can be used and applied to painful areas in the leg.
• Seeds are laxative; and the oil of seeds is purgative in doses of 40 gms.
• Tincture from seeds are used for treatment of herpes.
• Roots are used for fever and hemorrhages.