Dioscorea elephantipes vs Tansy

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Dioscorea elephantipes

Digestive

Tanacetum vulgare

Digestive

Dioscorea elephantipes

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Tansy

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Massive-stemmed Caudex plant of South Africa with vining shoots, traditional Khoikhoi food and medicine plant.

A strongly aromatic European herb historically used as a vermifuge and insect repellent, now used with caution.

Active Compounds

diosgenin, steroidal saponins, tannins, polysaccharides

Thujone, Camphor, Parthenolide, Tanacetin

Traditional Uses

Traditional Khoikhoi food and medicine during famine, Used in South African folk medicine for digestive conditions

Intestinal worms, Insect repellent, Menstrual regulation, Digestive bitter

Modern Uses

Digestive support, Traditional famine food, Anti-inflammatory, Traditional medicine

Anthelmintic, Insect repellent, Anti-inflammatory, Emmenagogue

Adult Dosage

Tuber as food after cooking; tincture: 1-2ml 2x/day

LOW DOSE ONLY: 0.5-1g dried herb as tea; short-term use

Contraindications

No specific contraindications established

Pregnancy, Epilepsy, Liver disease, Children

Side Effects

Mild gastrointestinal effects

Thujone toxicity (seizures), Hepatotoxicity, Abortifacient, Death (large doses)

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

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

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E