Bulbine natalensis

Bulbine natalensis is a succulent plant from the asphodel family (Asphodelaceae) and originates from South Africa. It prefers to grow in dry, grassy areas and is known for its traditional uses in African herbal medicine. The plant is used both internally and externally, and it is credited with potentially hormone-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties.

What benefits does Bulbine natalensis offer?

Bulbine natalensis is used in folk medicine for various health-promoting purposes. Scientific investigations have shown that some of these properties can be linked to the plant in studies. Other effects are plausible, since certain active compounds in the plant generally exhibit specific effects. As always, studies and indications should be viewed critically, but here even more so, as the body of research to date is very thin.

  • Testosterone increase: Extracts of the plant are traditionally used as a natural aphrodisiac and to increase testosterone levels, which is said to have positive effects on muscle building, energy, and sexual vitality. Animal studies showed that the plant could indeed be capable of increasing testosterone levels (1,2,3,4).
  • Support for wound healing: In traditional medicine, the gel of the plant is applied to wounds, burns, and skin infections to promote healing. Investigations partly came to the conclusion that it could indeed help with wound healing (5).
  • Antimicrobial effects: Various studies have shown that active compounds in Bulbine natalensis can exert an antimicrobial effect (1,3).

How does Bulbine natalensis work?

The health effects of Bulbine natalensis are attributable to several bioactive compounds:

  • Saponins: These secondary plant compounds have been linked to various effects in studies (6,7).
  • Flavonoids and phenols: These antioxidant compounds help reduce cell damage caused by free radicals and contribute to overall health promotion (8,9).
  • Anthraquinones: Known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can contribute to wound healing (10,11,12).

Side effects and risks

Although Bulbine natalensis possesses potentially health-promoting properties, some risks and side effects should be noted:

  • Hormonal effects: Excessive intake can lead to hormonal imbalances, especially with long-term use.
  • Liver strain: Studies suggest that high doses can impair liver function, which is why controlled use is important.
  • Gastrointestinal complaints: In some cases, consumption can lead to nausea or digestive problems.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Due to its hormonal effects, the plant should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Bulbine natalensis is an interesting medicinal plant with potential benefits for hormone balance, skin health, and overall vitality. However, because little is known about the effects of the plant, it should be used with caution, as high doses in particular can lead to side effects and the current body of research cannot sufficiently substantiate most of the effects attributed to it. Anyone wishing to use the plant as a dietary supplement should in any case seek medical advice beforehand.

Sources:

  1. Musara, C., & Aladejana, E. (2020). Review of studies on Bulbine natalensis Baker (Asphodelaceae): Ethnobotanical uses, biological and chemical properties. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 10, 150-155. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2020.10918
  2. Malviya, N., Jain, S., Gupta, V., & Vyas, S. (2011). Recent studies on aphrodisiac herbs for the management of male sexual dysfunction - A review. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 68(1), 3-8.
  3. Yakubu, M., & Quadri, L. (2012). Garcinia kola seeds: Is the aqueous extract a true aphrodisiac in male Wistar rats? African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines, 9(4), 530-535. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v9i4.9
  4. Yakubu, M. T., & Afolayan, A. J. (2010). Anabolic and androgenic activities of Bulbine natalensis stem in male Wistar rats. Pharmaceutical Biology, 48(5), 568–576. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880200903207094
  5. Pather, N., & Kramer, B. (2012). Bulbine natalensis and Bulbine frutescens promote cutaneous wound healing. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 144(3), 523–532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.034
  6. Zhang, X. X., Ito, Y., Liang, J. R., Liu, J. L., He, J., & Sun, W. J. (2014). Therapeutic effects of total steroid saponin extracts from the rhizome of Dioscorea zingiberensis C.H.Wright in Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. International immunopharmacology, 23(2), 407–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2014.07.018
  7. Desai, S., Desai, D. G., & Kaur, H. (2009). Saponins and their biological activities. Pharma Times, 41(3), 13-16.
  8. Heim, K. E., Tagliaferro, A. R., & Bobilya, D. J. (2002). Flavonoid antioxidants: Chemistry, metabolism and structure-activity relationships. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 13(10), 572-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0955-2863(02)00208-5
  9. Rice-Evans, C., Miller, N., & Paganga, G. (1997). Antioxidant properties of phenolic compounds. Trends in Plant Science, 2(4), 152-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1360-1385(97)01018-2
  10. Kshirsagar, A. D., Panchal, P. V., Harle, U. N., Nanda, R. K., & Shaikh, H. M. (2014). Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity of anthraquinone derivatives in rodents. International journal of inflammation, 2014, 690596. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/690596
  11. Park, J. G., Kim, S. C., Kim, Y. H., Yang, W. S., Kim, Y., Hong, S., Kim, K. H., Yoo, B. C., Kim, S. H., Kim, J. H., & Cho, J. Y. (2016). Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Anthraquinone-2-Carboxylic Acid. Mediators of inflammation, 2016, 1903849. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1903849
  12. Qun, T., Zhou, T., Hao, J., Wang, C., Zhang, K., Xu, J., Wang, X., & Zhou, W. (2023). Antibacterial activities of anthraquinones: structure-activity relationships and action mechanisms. RSC medicinal chemistry, 14(8), 1446–1471. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3md00116d