Uses for Peanut Plant Roots

Peanuts, also referred to as groundnuts, come from the legume bean family and are grown all over the world, most notably in Asian countries like China and India. Although peanuts are generally cultivated for human consumption, all parts of the peanut plant can be used, including the root. The root of a peanut plant not only provides essential proteins in cuisine, it can be used in the production of cosmetics and as alternative fuel.

Uses in Cuisine

• While the peanut itself is often soaked in enriched oils, baked and dressed with sugar or salt before it's consumed, the peanut plant root, having been buried underneath soil, retains nutritional minerals and plant proteins without added the sugar or fat. Peanut root is also rich with the antioxidant resveratrol, which aids in cancer prevention, lowered cholesterol and heart health. You can serve peanut root in dishes like peanut root soup.

Use in Cosmetics

• The moisture-rich antioxidants found in the root of a peanut plant are often found in cream conditioners, shampoos and body washes, because the caffeic acid found within the plant's roots stimulate hair roots and prolong skin elasticity. The antioxidant resveratrol, found in both the plant's roots and leaves, combats age lines and boosts skin brilliance.

Use as Alternative Fuel

• The root of the peanut plant is rich not only in minerals and antioxidants, but also in high-protein peanut oil. The oil found within the peanut plant's roots combines with other food oils and a low grade petroleum blend to create biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel is as biodegradable as sugar and burns at a much higher temperature than petrodiesel, reducing the risk of highway explosions and fiery wrecks.