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African wild potato is a plant. Although the root of the plant resembles a potato, it is not in the same family as the potato. The root of the plant is used to make medicine.
African wild potato is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
African wild potato contains chemicals that might decrease inflammation.
When taken by mouth: African wild potato extracts are POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth. Side effects include nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhea, or constipation. It might also cause sexual side effects, such as trouble getting an erection or less interest in sex.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if African wild potato is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Diabetes: African wild potato might lower blood sugar. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use African wild potato.
Heart disease: African wild potato might cause irregular heartbeats in people with heart disease. This might make symptoms worse in people with heart disease.
Kidney disease: African wild potato might decrease kidney function. This might make symptoms worse in people with kidney disease.
A rare inherited fat storage disease called sitosterolemia: People with sitosterolemia tend to develop early heart disease and also tend to accumulate cholesterol deposits under the skin. The beta-sitosterol in African wild potato can make this condition worse. If you have sitosterolemia, don't use African wild potato.
Surgery: African wild potato might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using African wild potato at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
There are no known interactions with medications. Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Carotene: The beta-sitosterol in African wild potato may interfere with the body's ability to absorb carotene, and blood levels of carotene may drop.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: African wild potato might lower blood sugar. Using it with other herbs or supplements that also have this effect might lower blood sugar too much. Other herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar include banaba, bitter melon, cowhage, ginger, glucomannan, goat's rue, fenugreek, kudzu, willow bark, and others.
Vitamin E: The beta-sitosterol in African wild potato may interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamin E, and blood levels of vitamin E may drop.
Carotenoid-containing foods: The beta-sitosterol in African wild potato may interfere with the body's ability to absorb carotene, and blood levels of carotene may drop.
Vitamin E-containing foods: The beta-sitosterol in African wild potato may interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamin E, and blood levels of vitamin E may drop.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
- For benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): African wild potato, containing 60 to 130 mg of beta-sitosterol, has been taken as 2-3 doses daily.
African Potato, Bantu Tulip, Hypoxis, Hypoxis hemerocallidea, Hypoxis Plant, Hypoxis rooperi, Papa Silvestre Africana, Pomme de Terre Sauvage d'Afrique, South African Star Grass, Sterretjie, Zifozonke.
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