Scientific name

Amorphophallus konjac

Family

Araceae

Origin

Japan

Synonyms

Glucomannan is the generic name that is usually attributed to the Konjac extract, increasingly used as such in phytotherapy. In reality it is only a polysaccharide derived from mannose (chains of glucose and mannose bound in position 1, 4), abundantly present in the tuber of this plant.

Used Parts

Drugs given by the roots

Chemical constituents

• glucomannan;
• Cellulose;
• Lignin;
• Fibers in general.

Konjac in Herbalist: Property of the Konjac

Of the konjac it is used above all the glucomannan contained within it, a particular type of high molecular weight polysaccharide.

Biological activity

Although the use of konjac has not obtained official approval for any type of therapeutic indication, it is not uncommon for this plant, or the glucomannan extracted from it, to be used in food supplements used as adjuvants in slimming diets.

In fact, glucomannan is a polysaccharide that has the characteristic of absorbing the water with which it comes into contact (without, however, breaking down into simple sugars), swelling and thus increasing its volume to form a gelatinous mass. This mass is able to stretch the gastric walls, thus increasing the sense of satiety and reducing appetite stimulation (anorectic effect).

Similarly, glucomannan can swell at the enteric level, thus stimulating intestinal peristalsis and thus favoring the expulsion of the contents of the same intestine.

Therefore, the konjac - more precisely, the glucomannan contained in it - as well as being used as an adjuvant remedy in the treatment of overweight and obesity, can also be useful in the case of constipation.

Konjac in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine konjac is used for the treatment of various disorders, such as asthma, cough, hernia, breast pain, burns and other skin diseases.

Furthermore, konjac leaves are used as a repellent remedy for insects.

As far as homeopathic medicine is concerned, on the other hand, konjac currently has no use in this area.

Konjac's Shirataki - Spaghetti 5 Calories

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Contraindications

Avoid taking Konjac in case of proven hypersensitivity to one or more components.

Pharmacological Interactions

• attention to the simultaneous intake of drugs, because all the fibers - including those of the konjac - can reduce or slow down absorption;
• oral antidiabetics.