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Botanical illustration of Elephant Yam
CulinarySourced entry

Elephant Yam

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius

Suran, a large edible tuber used in folk medicine for digestive and inflammatory problems. It protected the bowel in rats with colitis.

Safety at a glance

  • PregnancyNothing recorded
  • BreastfeedingNothing recorded
  • MedicinesNothing recorded
  • Who should avoid itNothing recorded
  • AllergiesNothing recorded
  • ToxicityNothing recorded

Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.

What is Elephant Yam?

Plant family
Araceae, the arum family, which includes duckweeds
Parts used
The tuber (corm)
Where it grows
South and Southeast Asia
Genus
Amorphophallus
Species
paeoniifolius

Regional names

Suran, Jimmikand

Traditionally used for

  • Food
  • Digestive problems (traditional)

Traditionally described as

  • Edible tuber

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Elephant yam tuber (suran or jimmikand) is used in folk medicine for digestive and inflammatory disorders, and has long been used in Ayurveda for chronic diseases.[1]Study

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

  • In rats with ulcerative colitis, tuber extracts given for a week protected the bowel, reducing ulcers and inflammation.[1]Study

  • A 2012 review of the published toxicity studies concluded the whole plant is safe.[2]Study

In short

A review of toxicity studies concluded it is safe.

Sources

  1. [1] Beneficial effect of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber on experimental ulcerative colitis in rats · DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2016.1226904Peer-reviewed study
  2. [2] A phytopharmacological review on an important medicinal plant - Amorphophallus paeoniifolius · DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.100303Peer-reviewed study

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.