Daun Insulin (Smallanthus sonchifolius): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does daun insulin work to lower blood sugar?

Daun insulin (yacon leaf) works through multiple mechanisms to regulate blood glucose. Chlorogenic acid inhibits glucose-6-phosphatase, reducing hepatic glucose production, while fructooligosaccharides (FOS) act as prebiotic fiber that slows carbohydrate absorption in the intestines. Sesquiterpene lactones may enhance insulin sensitivity at the cellular level. These combined actions help improve glucose metabolism without causing rapid drops in blood sugar, supporting its traditional use in Indonesian Jamu and South American medicine (Evidence Level C).

Can I take daun insulin with metformin or other diabetes medications?

Daun insulin may enhance the glucose-lowering effects of diabetes medications such as metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin therapy. This additive effect could potentially cause hypoglycemia if blood sugar drops too low. Patients taking prescription diabetes medications should consult their healthcare provider before adding yacon leaf to their regimen. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is essential, and medication dosages may require adjustment under medical supervision to prevent adverse interactions (Evidence Level C).

What is the recommended dosage for daun insulin tea?

The traditional adult dosage for daun insulin is 5-15 grams of dried leaf prepared as a tea daily. Steep the dried leaves in hot water for 10-15 minutes before consuming. This dosage range is based on Indonesian Jamu practice and South American traditional use. Beginners should start with 5 grams daily to assess tolerance, as the fructooligosaccharide content may cause initial digestive discomfort before gradually increasing to the full dosage (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

Is daun insulin safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Based on traditional use, daun insulin is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when consumed in typical food or tea amounts. However, clinical studies specifically examining safety in pregnant or lactating women are limited. Pregnant women should consult their healthcare provider before using any herbal supplement. The fructooligosaccharide content may cause flatulence or bloating, which could compound pregnancy-related digestive discomfort. Moderation and professional guidance are recommended (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

What are the side effects of drinking daun insulin tea?

The most common side effect of daun insulin tea is flatulence and mild digestive discomfort, caused by the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) content acting as fermentable fiber in the gut. These effects typically diminish as the body adjusts to regular consumption. Some individuals may experience bloating or loose stools when first starting. Starting with a lower dose and gradually increasing intake helps minimize these effects. No serious adverse events have been reported in traditional use or preliminary research (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

What is daun insulin used for in traditional medicine?

Daun insulin (yacon leaf) is traditionally used in Indonesian Jamu and South American folk medicine primarily for blood sugar regulation and diabetes management. Additional traditional uses include liver support and hepatoprotection, as the herb may help protect liver cells from damage. The leaves are typically prepared as a tea or decoction. While these uses are well-established in traditional practice, clinical evidence remains limited and daun insulin should complement rather than replace prescribed medical treatments for diabetes (Evidence Level C, Traditional).

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Smallanthus sonchifolius, commonly known as yacon, is a perennial plant from the Asteraceae family with potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic benefits [PMID: 30149424, PMID: 27455312].

Background

Yacon is a perennial plant native to the Andean regions of South America [PMID: 27455312]. It is characterized by tuberous roots and leaves, and is utilized as both a food and a medicinal plant [PMID: 32325177, PMID: 38794228].

Traditional uses

In traditional folk medicine, the roots and leaves have been used by individuals suffering from diabetes, as well as various renal or digestive disorders [PMID: 32325177]. In some countries, including Indonesia, the leaves are traditionally consumed as herbal tea [PMID: 34668149].

Active compounds

The plant is rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin [PMID: 38794228, PMID: 27455312]. Other bioactive compounds include flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones (such as enhydrin and uvedalin), phenolic acids (including chlorogenic, caffeic, coumaric, and protocatechuic acids), and hyperbranched arabinogalactan [PMID: 38794228, PMID: 32325177, PMID: 26041224, PMID: 28069126].

Mechanism of action

FOS fermentation by intestinal microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) that regulate glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and immune responses [PMID: 27455312]. Yacon leaf extracts may attenuate neuroinflammation by affecting microglial activation [PMID: 30149424]. Additionally, yacon leaves have been investigated for their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase [PMID: 34668149].

Clinical evidence

Evidence AGlycemic Control and Insulin Sensitivity

Yacon syrup supplementation in humans demonstrated significant reductions in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR [PMID: 40077758]. Yacon flour use can reduce glycemia and HbA1c [PMID: 38794228]. In rats, yacon improved hepatic insulin resistance by reducing Trb3 expression [PMID: 23712282].

Evidence ALipid Profile and Obesity

Yacon syrup significantly reduced LDL cholesterol in humans [PMID: 40077758]. In high-fat-diet-fed rats, yacon flour attenuated weight gain and decreased visceral fat pad weight [PMID: 30510798]. Diabetic rats showed decreased fasting plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL levels [PMID: 21907189].

Evidence AIntestinal Health

Yacon syrup improved satiety and intestinal transit time in humans [PMID: 40077758]. It acts as a prebiotic, favoring the growth of health-promoting bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium [PMID: 27455312, PMID: 24936376].

Evidence DColon Carcinogenesis

In rats, a diet containing 1.0% yacon root extract or a synbiotic formulation significantly reduced the number of aberrant crypt foci and invasive adenocarcinomas [PMID: 22595329].

Evidence DNeuroinflammation

Ethanolic yacon leaf extract (YLE) was found to attenuate LPS-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo [PMID: 30149424].

Safety & adverse effects

An in vitro toxicogenetic evaluation using the Cytome assay was conducted to assess the genotoxic effects of the aqueous extract of yacon to determine its safety [PMID: 32325177].

Evidence summary

The evidence is strongest (Level A) for the metabolic and prebiotic effects of yacon (syrup and flour) on glycemic control and lipid profiles in humans and animal models. Evidence for neuroprotective and anti-carcinogenic effects is currently limited to preclinical animal or in vitro studies (Level D).

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 30149424 (2018) — Smallanthus sonchifolius leaf attenuates neuroinflammation. · Journal of exercise nutrition & biochemistry
2.PMID: 37603903 (2023) — Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) and kefir improved intestinal and bone health but without symbiotic benefits in rats. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.)
3.PMID: 38794228 (2024) — Effects of Smallanthus sonchifolius Flour on Metabolic Parameters: A Systematic Review. · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 27455312 (2016) — Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) as a Food Supplement: Health-Promoting Benefits of Fructooligosaccharides. · Nutrients
5.PMID: 38947460 (2024) — Investigating the potential of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) juice in the development of organic apple-based snacks. · Heliyon

Daun Insulin

Sources & Citations

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