Hypoxis hemerocallidea

Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Hypoxidaceae
Genus: Hypoxis
Species: H. hemerocallidea
Binomial name
Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Fisch.Mey. & Avé-Lall.
Synonyms[1]
  • Hypoxis elata Hook.f. nom. illeg.
  • Hypoxis obconica Nel
  • Hypoxis patula Nel
  • Hypoxis rooperi T.Moore

Hypoxis hemerocallidea (African star grass, African potato) is a medicinal plant in the Hypoxidaceae family. It is native to southern Africa from South Africa as far north as Mozambique and Zimbabwe.[2][3] This plant is the best known member of this genus.

Medicinal uses

Limited evidence from two clinical trials suggests that Hypoxis appears to improve some symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia, but the studies had "well documented methodological flaws".[4] Additionally, Hypoxis alters the activity of cytochrome p450, suggesting that it may interfere with the effectiveness of other drugs or supplements, such as antiretroviral drugs.[5]

References

  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 27 June 2015.
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Gillmer, M.; Symmonds, R. (1999). "Seed collection and germination: Hypoxis hemerocallidea". Plantlife. 21 (36): 37.
  4. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Rutks I, MacDonald R (2000). "Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia". Public Health Nutr. 3 (4A): 459–472. doi:10.1017/S1368980000000549. PMID 11276294.
  5. Mills E, et al. (2005). "Impact of African herbal medicines on antiretroviral metabolism". AIDS. 19 (1): 95–97. doi:10.1097/00002030-200501030-00013. PMID 15627040.
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