African potato
Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Herbs & Roots. African.
Also called Yellow star, Golden star, Star flower
May lower blood sugarAfrican potato is a small African plant whose underground corm (a starchy stem that many people call a root) is sold in supplements for immune support and prostate health.
Did you know? The corm contains a compound called hypoxoside, which the body can turn into rooperol.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Men's health. Traditionally used for prostate problems. The studies available are mostly in cells or rats, and human prostate proof is limited.Traditional proof
- Blood sugar. Lab and rat studies suggest it may lower blood sugar. Human blood sugar proof is limited.Traditional proof
- Colds, flu & immunity. Sold as an immune booster. Lab work exists, but human immune proof is limited.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Hormones & reproduction, Pancreas & blood sugar, Immune system
Traditional use
Healers in southern Africa have used the corm for many ailments, including urinary complaints. Its popularity has grown in modern supplements.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Immune booster, Hypoglycemic, Antioxidant. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Traditional use is a decoction (a boiled tea) of the corm. Capsules and tinctures follow the label, and there are no proven doses from good human trials.
Decoction, capsule and tincture.
Where to get it
Grows wild in grassland and woodland across southern and eastern Africa. Wild corms are harvested for sale, and this can strain local plant populations, so cultivated sources are the better choice.
Be careful
Few safety studies exist in people. Some animal studies have looked at kidney and liver effects at high doses, and herb-drug interactions have been raised in lab reports. Avoid it in pregnancy, and check with a doctor if you take diabetes medicines or have kidney disease.
Avoid if: pregnancy; diabetes medicines; kidney disease.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are African herbs sold for immune support.
- Works well together
Both are African plants sold for prostate symptoms, but no trial tests them together.
- Use cautionDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Lab and rat data suggest it can lower blood sugar. Used with diabetes medicines, it could cause blood sugar to drop too low.
Adds up with others that may lower blood sugar: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 39 more.
The honest take
Most of the evidence comes from cells, rats, and small lab studies, so human proof for prostate and immune claims is limited. Its popularity has put wild plants at risk, so choose cultivated sources. People on diabetes medicines should talk to a doctor before using it.