n. 1  Any of various small proteins that are produced by a variety of cell types, especially T cells and other white blood cells, and that regulate many aspects of inflammation and the immune response, including stimulating the production of white blood cells and platelets.
Arrowroot is an easily digested starch extracted from the roots of the arrowroot plant, Maranta arundinacea. The starch is used as a thickener in many foods such as puddings and sauces, and is also used in cookies and other baked goods. It is extremely bland, making it suitable for neutral diets, especially for people who are feeling nauseous.
The roots are washed, scraped, beaten, soaked, pulped, and finally forced through a sieve. The liquid and fine powders, which make it through the sieve, are dried, leaving the useful arrowroot powder behind. In India, arrowroot is commonly called kooya. It has a white to purplish color, and grows in sizes ranging from 2 feet to 5 feet. The underground stem of the plant is the edible portion, which yields flour. As such arrowroot has no flavour. It is a fine white powder, with a feel very similar to that of cornstarch.