Dioscorea alata vs Parkia Seed

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Dioscorea alata

Nutritive

Parkia biglobosa

Nutritive

Description

Major tropical food crop from Southeast Asia with purple flesh, rich in anthocyanins and starch.

West African tree whose fermented seeds are the basis of dawadawa seasoning, used medicinally for inflammation and metabolic conditions.

Active Compounds

anthocyanins, diosgenin, allantoin, mucilage, starch, vitamin C

tannins, flavonoids, saponins, amino acids, potassium

Traditional Uses

Major food staple of tropical Asia and Pacific, Used in Filipino and Southeast Asian folk medicine for diabetes and inflammation

Inflammation and pain in West African folk medicine, Diabetes and blood sugar support, Skin infections topically, Nutritive food medicine

Modern Uses

Antioxidant nutrition via anthocyanins, Blood sugar regulation, Anti-inflammatory, Prebiotic starch

Anti-inflammatory, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant

Adult Dosage

Dietary food use unlimited

Fermented seeds as daily food seasoning; bark decoction for medicinal use 2 cups daily

Contraindications

No significant contraindications

None established as food

Side Effects

No significant adverse effects

Generally safe as food

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

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

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E