The African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), or Hypoxis, is gaining ground in the skin care market. A tuber, that produces yellow flowers, sometimes called star flower, it doesn’t look much like a potato at all. It takes six years for one plant to mature.
Used in Africa for hundreds or thousands of years for its many medical properties, including use as a treatment for mental illness, headaches, septic sores and to induce vomiting, the African potato has shown promise in modern medicine for treating everything from cancer to HIV.
Grown primarily in South Africa, the African potato is now being used in shampoos and soaps for its skin soothing and anti-oxidant properties. It is known to help remedy eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
Leave a Reply