Sium suave vs Canna edulis

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Sium suave

Nutritive

Canna discolor

Nutritive

Sium suave

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Canna edulis

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

North American Apiaceae with edible roots used by Native Americans; requires careful ID to avoid toxic relatives.

South American Canna with edible starchy rhizomes; ancient Andean food crop with nutritional value.

Active Compounds

falcarinol, flavonoids, tannins

starch, minerals, flavonoids, vitamins

Traditional Uses

Edible roots for Native Americans, Digestive complaints

food staple, wound healing, digestive complaints

Modern Uses

Nutritive root, Mild digestive

nutritive food, wound poultice, digestive starch

Adult Dosage

Cooked roots only as food

Starch as food; rhizome as cooked vegetable

Contraindications

Confusion with Cicuta - lethal, Pregnancy, Requires expert botanical ID

known allergy

Side Effects

Fatal misidentification risk

constipation with excess starch

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

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

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E