Chaya vs Teucrium polium

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Chaya

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

Metabolic

Metabolic

Chaya

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Teucrium polium

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Mayan superfood shrub of the Yucatan peninsula used for millennia as a nutritive food medicine for diabetes and as galactagogue.

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean herb used across Arab traditional medicine for diabetes and digestive conditions.

Active Compounds

flavonoids, quercetin, beta-carotene, iron, calcium

diterpenoids, iridoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins

Traditional Uses

Nutritive medicine in Mayan tradition, Diabetes management in Yucatan folk medicine, Galactagogue for nursing mothers, Blood conditions and anemia

diabetes, digestive disorders, fever, liver conditions

Modern Uses

Antidiabetic, Nutritive superfood, Galactagogue, Antioxidant

antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant

Adult Dosage

3-5 cooked leaves daily as vegetable; leaf tea 2 cups daily after boiling

3-5g dried herb or 1-2ml tincture daily

Contraindications

Raw consumption toxic (prussic acid), Pregnancy in large medicinal doses

liver disease, alcoholic preparations

Side Effects

Prussic acid toxicity if consumed raw, Generally safe when cooked

hepatotoxicity with high doses

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E