Stachys tuberifera rhizomes

In 1913, Tanret concluded that stachyose (in translation) is well utilized by man. Experimenting on myself, I made a meal of 500 g. of the artichokes, i.e., Stachys tuberifera rhizomes, both the bulbs themselves and the cooking water, containing at least 25 g. of stachyose. When the urine was examined afterward, it did not show the least optical rotation. 36 No other effects were reported by Tanret. Although Stachys tuberifera is cultivated for human food in scattered parts of the world, it is extremely unlikely that the stachyose which makes up the bulk of its dry weight is of any direct food value. 

In 1952, Wolfrom and associates reported89 an improved method for the isolation of stachyose from Stachys tuberifera rhizomes. 

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