- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Southern Africa
- Traditions
- Traditional healers of Southern Africa
Africa · Herb · № 812
Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Herb · Africa
African potato
Hypoxis hemerocallidea
A corm widely traded as a tonic. The evidence for its effects is weak.
Safety notes
Can interact with medication, including HIV drugs. Consult a doctor.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- African healing traditions: Evidence of effect is weak; the wild plant is overharvested.
Preparation
The sliced corm is traditionally steeped or boiled.
Use in traditions
A well-known remedy at the muthi markets of southern Africa, among other things for bladder and prostate complaints and as a tonic.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
African healing traditions
Attributed effects
Sold at the muthi markets of southern Africa as a tonic, for bladder and prostate complaints and for coughs; the corm is also used in ritual cleansing.
Preparation and amount
The sliced corm is steeped or boiled; healers adjust the preparation to each person. No dosage is given here.
Caution: Evidence of effect is weak; the wild plant is overharvested.