Ya Nang (Tiliacora triandra): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Ya Nang work to reduce fever and detoxify the body?

Ya Nang (Tiliacora triandra) contains bioactive compounds including tetrandrine and cycleanine, which are bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. These compounds work by modulating inflammatory pathways in the body. The flavonoids and chlorophyll content contribute antioxidant activity that supports the liver's natural detoxification processes. Traditional use suggests these compounds help eliminate toxins, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence Level C).

Does Ya Nang interact with any medications?

Limited research exists on Ya Nang drug interactions. Tetrandrine, a key active compound, affects calcium channels and may theoretically interact with calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic medications, and blood pressure drugs. Due to insufficient clinical data, individuals taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using concentrated Ya Nang preparations. Traditional culinary consumption in food amounts is generally considered low risk (Evidence Level C).

What is the recommended dosage of Ya Nang for adults?

The traditional adult dosage is 15-30 grams of fresh Ya Nang leaves prepared as juice or tea daily. This recommendation is based on Thai folk medicine tradition rather than standardized clinical trials (Evidence Level C, Traditional). Ya Nang leaves are commonly consumed as a vegetable in Southeast Asian cuisine, and culinary amounts are generally well tolerated. For therapeutic purposes, consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Is Ya Nang safe to take during pregnancy?

Ya Nang is not recommended during pregnancy, particularly in therapeutic or concentrated doses. Traditional knowledge and limited evidence indicate potential safety concerns for pregnant women (Evidence Level C). The active compounds, including tetrandrine, may pose risks to fetal development. Pregnant women should avoid Ya Nang supplements and consult a healthcare provider before consuming even culinary amounts. Women who are breastfeeding should also exercise caution and seek professional medical guidance.

Can Ya Nang help treat malaria and fever?

Ya Nang has a long history of traditional use in Thai folk medicine for treating fever and malaria. Laboratory studies suggest potential antiplasmodial activity against malaria parasites, attributed to compounds like tetrandrine and cycleanine (Evidence Level C). However, robust human clinical trials are lacking. Ya Nang should never replace conventional antimalarial treatment. It may serve as a complementary approach for fever management in traditional contexts, but proper medical diagnosis and treatment remain essential.

What are the side effects of consuming Ya Nang?

Ya Nang is generally well tolerated when consumed in traditional culinary amounts as a vegetable. No significant adverse effects have been widely documented in traditional use (Evidence Level C, Traditional). However, concentrated extracts or therapeutic doses may cause unknown effects due to limited clinical safety data. Individuals with known allergies to similar plants should exercise caution. Discontinue use and seek medical attention if any adverse reactions occur.

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

Tiliacora triandra, commonly known as Ya Nang, is a medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties [PMID:42125768, 34916822].

Background

Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels is a common vegetable consumed in Thailand and Laos [PMID:32281660]. It is also referred to as bamboo grass [PMID:30744355].

Traditional uses

It is traditionally used in Thailand as a revitalizing neurotonic agent [PMID:38107289] and to manage inflammatory and metabolic disorders [PMID:41901231].

Active compounds

The plant contains bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids including magnoflorine, nortiliacorine A, tiliacorinin-2'-N-oxide, noryanangine, norisoyanangine [PMID:17265307], tiliacorinine [PMID:37813201], 2'-nortiliacorinine, and tiliacorine [PMID:22418278]. Other constituents include the flavonoid pectolinarigenin [PMID:41901231], 5,7-dihydroxy-6-oxoheptadecanoic acid (DHA) [PMID:32875596], epicatechin, quercetin [PMID:33669133], and polysaccharide gum (xylan) [PMID:35885245]. Leaf extracts are also rich in polyphenols [PMID:25371566].

Mechanism of action

In cancer cells, it induces apoptosis and inhibits growth signaling by up-regulating Ac-H3 and down-regulating p-ERK, p53, Bax, CDK4, and Bcl2 [PMID:36540797]. For diabetes, it inhibits hepatic glucose production by downregulating PEPCK and G6Pase while increasing phosphorylation of protein kinase B and AMP-activated protein kinase [PMID:33669133]. Neuroprotective effects are mediated via anti-neuroinflammation and modulation of oxidative stress markers such as MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH [PMID:42125768, 32257892].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DDiabetes (Animal Model)

Significantly decreased blood glucose levels, increased insulin secretion, and attenuated hyperlipidemia and organ complications [PMID:32281660, 33669133].

Evidence DCognitive Impairment/Memory Loss (Animal Model)

Enhanced spatial learning, memory, and learning flexibility in models of scopolamine-induced impairment, ethanol dependence, and cerebral ischemia/reperfusion [PMID:38107289, 30377596, 29062800, 26180599].

Evidence DCholangiocarcinoma (In Vitro/Xenograft)

Inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis; showed synergistic effects when combined with Cisplatin or Gemcitabine [PMID:36540797, 37512080, 37813201].

Evidence DCisplatin-induced Toxicity (Animal Model)

Attenuated hepatorenal and testicular toxicity by modulating oxidative inflammation and apoptosis [PMID:35226987, 34916822].

Evidence DCholesterol Absorption (In Vitro)

Decreased the uptake of cholesterol by approximately 48% in Caco-2 cells [PMID:30312160].

Safety & adverse effects

The safety of the leaf powder ethanolic extract (TLPE) was demonstrated in vitro via a hemolytic assay [PMID:37512080].

Drug interactions

Tiliacora triandra leaf powder ethanolic extract (TLPE) exhibited synergistic drug interactions with Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, allowing for dose reduction of these chemotherapeutic agents [PMID:37512080].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based entirely on in vitro cell lines and animal models (rats, mice, cattle, chickens); there are no human clinical trials provided. Strength of evidence is low (Level D).

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 32281660 (2020) — Tiliacora triandra extract possesses antidiabetic effects in high fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. · Journal of food biochemistry
2.PMID: 38107289 (2023) — Neuroprotective effect of Tiliacora triandra (Colebr.) Diels leaf extract on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats. · Heliyon
3.PMID: 36540797 (2022) — Ethanolic extract of Ya-nang (Tiliacora triandra) leaf powder induces apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines via induction of hyperacetylation and inhibition of growth signaling. · PeerJ
4.PMID: 30744355 (2019) — Effect of bamboo grass (Tiliacora triandra, Diels) pellet supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics and methane production in Thai native beef cattle. · Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences
5.PMID: 35266158 (2022) — Influence of bamboo grass (Tiliacora triandra, Diels) pellet supplementation on in vitro fermentation and methane mitigation.

Ya Nang

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Ya Nang

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Ya Nang

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Ya Nang

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Nectandra rodioei

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources