Related Terms

• African potato, Afrika patat, agglutinins, aglucones, bantu tulip, beta-sitosterin, beta-sitosterol, diglucuronide, disulfate, glucuronide-sulfate conjugates, glycosides, Hypoxis, Hypoxis colchicifolia, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm, Hypoxis latifolia, Hypoxis rooperi, Hypoxis roperi, hypoxoside, lectin-like proteins, norlignans picea, phytosterols, pinus, rooperol analogues, sitoserin, South African star grass, star grass, sterretjie.

Background

• The African wild potato is native to South Africa. It is a bitter plant used for a wide variety of conditions including diabetes mellitus, hemorrhage, and prostate problems.

• Traditional healers have used the African wild potato boiled into tea for its medicinal properties. In southern Mozambique, it was widely used during the Civil War (1976-1992) by both soldiers and civilians who lost blood through injuries. The tea from the plant is said to quickly replace lost blood. The tea is used in conjunction with other plants to combat "bad blood" in patients with diabetes mellitus.

• The Shangaan used African wild potato in a mixture with other plants for endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The rootstock was one of the ingredients of an infusion taken as an "internal parasiticide" and purgative. The Manyika used the rootstock for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. The Karanga used the rootstock as a remedy for vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pains and fevers. It was also used to treat delirium.

• African wild potato may boost immune function, based on indirect evidence that sterols and sterolins in Hypoxis root have the potential to enhance immunity. Some believe its nutrient values are 50,000 times greater than modern vegetables. Today, sterols and sterolins are still sought after and are preferred immune system boosters.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Abdominal pain, arthritis, bladder disorders, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, convulsions, coronary disease, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), delirium, diabetes, endometriosis, epilepsy, fevers, hemorrhage, high cholesterol, HIV/AIDS, immune enhancement, inflammation, insecticide, loss of appetite, lung cancer, lung disease, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pesticide, prostate cancer, psoriasis (skin disease), rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, urinary disorders, viral infections, vomiting, wound healing.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

• For benign prostatic hyperplasia, 60-130 milligrams of beta-sitosterol divided into 2-3 doses daily has been taken by mouth. For lung cancer, 1,200-3,200 milligrams of standardized Hypoxis plant extract (200-milligramcapsules) per day divided in three doses has been taken by mouth. African wild potato has also been taken as tumoricidal agent in a dose of 2,400 milligrams daily (12, 200-milligram capsules), although safety and effectiveness has not been proven.

Children (younger than 18 years)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose of African wild potato, and use in children is not recommended.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to African wild potato. Allergy to the plant may manifest as a skin rash.

Side Effects and Warnings

• African wild potato is likely safe when consumed as a source of vitamins and nutrients such as phytosterols. It may be possibly safe when used as a tea within recommended dosing guidelines. However, African wild potato is possibly unsafe when used by patients with hyperglycemia, with liver problems or taking drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, or with HIV/AIDS.

• There are few reports of adverse effects associated with African wild potato, which include mild abdominal cramps, or drug intolerance with anxiety, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. African wild potato may also lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare provider, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

• When taken by mouth, beta-sitosterol, a constituent of African wild potato, has been associated with erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. In theory, African wild potato aqueous extract may impair kidney function, reduce urine output, and potassium and sodium excretion. Use cautiously in patients with impaired kidney function.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• African wild potato is not recommended in pregnant and breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• African wild potato may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

• African wild potato may inhibit the P-glycoprotein. Patients taking HIV/AIDS medications or other antiretrovirals should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Combined use may put patient at risk of treatment failure, viral resistance, or drug toxicity.

• Extracts of the African wild potato have significant effects on cytochrome P450 3A4 metabolism. Therefore, taking African wild potato with drugs metabolized by this enzyme system may possibly alter drug levels.

• Aqueous extracts of the African wild potato may impair kidney function. Use cautiously in patients taking nephrotoxic (kidney damaging) drugs.

• Aqueous extracts of the African wild potato may reduce urination and excretion of potassium and sodium. Use cautiously in patients taking drugs that increase urine flow (diuretics).

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Extracts of the African wild potato have effects on cytochrome P450 3A4 metabolism. Therefore, taking African wild potato with herbs and supplements metabolized by this enzyme system may possibly alter drug levels.

• African wild potato may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

• African wild potato may inhibit the P-glycoprotein. Patients taking herbs and supplements for HIV/AIDS or those with antiretroviral effects should consult with a qualified healthcare professional including a pharmacist. Combined use may put patient at risk of treatment failure, viral resistance, or drug toxicity.

• Aqueous extracts of the African wild potato may reduce urination and excretion of potassium and sodium. Caution is advised when combining with other herbs and supplements that increase urine flow (diuretics).

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet 1995;345(8964):1529-1532. View Abstract

2. Dreikorn K, Schonhofer PS. [Status of phytotherapeutic drugs in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia]. Urologe A 1995;34(2):119-129. View Abstract

3. Fagelman E, Lowe FC. Herbal medications in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Urol Clin North Am 2002;29(1):23-9, vii. View Abstract

4. Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. German BPH-Phyto Study group. Br J Urol 1997;80(3):427-432. View Abstract

5. Lowe FC, Fagelman E. Phytotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Curr Opin Urol 2002;12(1):15-18. View Abstract

6. Lowe FC. Phytotherapy in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology 2001;58(6 Suppl 1):71-76. View Abstract

7. Mills E, Foster BC, Heeswijk RV, et al. Impact of African herbal medicines on antiretroviral metabolism. AIDS 2005;19(1):95-97. View Abstract

8. Musabayane CT, Xozwa K, Ojewole JA. Effects of Hypoxis hemerocallidea (Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) [Hypoxidaceae] corm (African Potato) aqueous extract on renal electrolyte and fluid handling in the rat. Ren Fail 2005;27(6):763-770. View Abstract

9. Ojewole JA. Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties of Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Hypoxidaceae) corm ['African Potato'] aqueous extract in mice and rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;103(1):126-134. View Abstract

10. Risa J, Risa A, Adsersen A, et al. Screening of plants used in southern Africa for epilepsy and convulsions in the GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor assay. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;93(2-3):177-182. View Abstract

11. Vahlensieck W, Jr. [With alpha blockers, finasteride and nettle root against benign prostatic hyperplasia. Which patients are helped by conservative therapy?]. MMW Fortschr Med 2002;144(16):33-36. View Abstract

12. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Rutks I, et al. Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Public Health Nutr 2000;3(4A):459-472. View Abstract