African Potato (Hypoxis): Traditional Use and Safety
African potato (Hypoxis) is a southern African corm used traditionally for many complaints. What reviews and trials show, including prostate and HIV claims, and safety.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What it is
African potato is the common name for Hypoxis hemerocallidea, a plant of southern Africa whose underground corm (a thick storage stem) is used in traditional medicine. Research papers also use the name Hypoxis rooperi for related preparations, so check which name a product label or study uses. This page covers traditional use, what has been tested and safety. It is information only.Traditional use
A 2020 systematic review of 30 eligible articles reports that the corm is used traditionally for wasting diseases, testicular tumours, "insanity," barrenness, impotency, bad dreams, intestinal parasites, urinary infection, heart disease and to enhance immunity, and that it is mainly used in Southern Africa as an immune-system tonic. [1] These are reported traditional uses; they are not proof that it treats any of them. Communities and healers hold their own knowledge of the plant, and this page does not describe how it is prepared.What is in it, and what lab studies show
The corm contains hypoxoside, which the review says is converted in the gut to rooperol, an antioxidant, along with plant sterols, saponins and other compounds. [1] Preclinical studies (in cells and animals) have reported effects on immune function, inflammation, blood sugar and bacteria. [1] An earlier review likewise concluded that more laboratory and clinical studies are needed. [2] Lab and animal findings are preclinical: they do not show what happens in people.What human research shows
| Claim | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Enlarged prostate (BPH) | A 2016 review of plant treatments for BPH included Hypoxis rooperi. It found early trials looked encouraging but had problems with product standardization, design and follow-up, and later larger studies found these agents no better than placebo. [3] | No good evidence of benefit (as a class of plant treatments); product-specific results vary |
| Immune-support claims | The 2020 review says the exact mechanisms are unknown and more research is required to substantiate beneficial claims. [1] | Insufficient evidence |
| HIV or AIDS | Proper evidence not found. I searched PubMed for human trials and found only a small healthy-volunteer drug-interaction study, not a study of benefit. | Insufficient evidence |
| Cancer | Lab findings only in the sources read. [4] | Preclinical |
For prostate symptoms, see urinary symptoms and enlarged prostate, and see a clinician for urinary symptoms.
Safety
- Side effects: the review lists nausea and vomiting as the common side effects, which it says subside over time. [1]
- Medicine interactions: in lab studies, African potato inhibited several enzymes that process medicines (CYP1A2, 2C9, 2D6 and 3A4, among others) and affected the P-glycoprotein transporter. [1] A review of African herbal remedies notes that this research was mostly in vitro and that human data are lacking. [5]
- Human interaction study: in 10 healthy volunteers, a traditionally prepared decoction taken daily for about two weeks did not significantly change blood levels of a single dose of the HIV drug efavirenz. [6] That is one drug, a single dose, in healthy people; it does not cover other medicines or people on long-term treatment, and the 2020 review says interactions with HIV drugs remain a research gap. [1]
- Contaminants: a study of plants grown at different sites found arsenic collected in the roots and leaves, with levels depending on the soil, which shows why where and how a plant is grown matters. [7] Product quality cannot be judged from a label alone. See product quality and contamination.
HIV and AIDS: a clear caution
African potato has been promoted in connection with HIV. Do not stop or skip antiretroviral treatment for any herbal product. Talk with your HIV clinician before using any supplement. See African herbs and HIV or AIDS claims.Who should be extra careful
Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use if you take prescribed medicines (especially HIV, transplant, heart or blood-thinning medicines), are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are treating a child. This page found no pregnancy safety data in the sources read, so absence of warnings is not a sign of safety. See talking with a health professional.Related pages
African traditional medicine overview, Sutherlandia and kanna, and sustainability and commercialization of traditional medicine.Frequently asked questions
What is African potato used for traditionally?
The corm is used for many complaints, and mainly as an immune tonic in Southern Africa, according to a 2020 systematic review. [1]
Does African potato treat an enlarged prostate?
Not proven. A 2016 review found later, better-designed studies of plant treatments for BPH, including Hypoxis rooperi, showed no benefit over placebo. [3]
Does African potato help with HIV?
Proper evidence not found. The only human study located tested drug interaction in healthy volunteers, and reviews call for more research. [6][1] Never stop prescribed HIV medicines.
Is African potato safe?
Nausea and vomiting are the commonly reported side effects, and lab studies suggest it may interact with medicines. Long-term safety data are lacking in the sources read. [1]
Can it interact with my medicines?
Possibly. Lab studies show effects on drug-processing enzymes, though a small study with one HIV drug found no significant change. Ask a clinician or pharmacist. [1][6]
References
- Matyanga CMJ et al. African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea): a systematic review of its chemistry, pharmacology and ethno medicinal properties. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020. PubMed 32527245 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Owira PM, Ojewole JA. 'African potato' (Hypoxis hemerocallidea corm): a plant-medicine for modern and 21st century diseases of mankind? A review. Phytother Res 2009. PubMed 18693293 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Keehn A, Taylor J, Lowe FC. Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Curr Urol Rep 2016. PubMed 27180172 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Drewes SE et al. Hypoxis hemerocallidea - not merely a cure for benign prostate hyperplasia. J Ethnopharmacol 2008. PubMed 18602776 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Cordier W, Steenkamp V. Drug interactions in African herbal remedies. Drug Metabol Drug Interact 2011. PubMed 21756221 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Mogatle S et al. Effect of African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea) on the pharmacokinetics of efavirenz. S Afr Med J 2008. PubMed 19374071 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
- Jonnalagadda SB et al. Macro, minor and toxic elemental uptake and distribution in Hypoxis hemerocallidea, "the African Potato". J Environ Sci Health B 2008. PubMed 18368548 (abstract). Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.