Wild Yam

About 600 species make up this large genus of tuberous, deciduous or evergreen, twining climbers, which are widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics. A few are grown as ornamentals and many are cultivated as food crops in warm regions. Some of the edible yams produce very large tubers —those of Dioscorea alata (white yam) can reach 50kg (110lb). The common name "yam" is from a W African dialect word meaning "eat". Many species contain steroidal saponins, used in the preparations of steroids by the pharmaceutical industry. The discovery of hormones in yams was made in 1943 by Russel E. Marker, an eccentric American organic chemist who produced progesterone from Mexican yams in a pottery shop-cum-laboratory, and presented two jars of the hormone, then worth $160,000, to the pharmaceutical firm Laboratorios Hormona (later to become Syntex), thus initiating production of an affordable contraceptive pill. Until the hormone diogenin was synthesized in 1970. D. macrostchya (Mexican yam) was the sole source for manufacture of contraceptive pills. A small Himalayan species, D deltoidea, has proved the richest of all yams in steroidal saponins; it is now endangered from over-collection. Dioscorea batatas, the hardiest of the commercially cultivated yams, contains allantoin, a cell proliferant also found in Symphytum officinale (See, comfrey). Various yams are used in traditional medicine. D. batatas, D. hypoglauca, and D. nipponica are used in Chinese medicine for rheumatic, digestive, or urinary complaints. The N American D. quaternata has similar uses to D. villosa. Known as aluka, yams are also used in Ayurvedic medicine for sexual and hormonal problems and hysteria.

The rootlike parts of the wild yam contain diosgenin, a steroidlike substance that, until 1970, was the sole source of hormone used in the manufacture of birth control pills. Today wild yam continues to be the most popular source of natural progesterone, a common remedy for menopausal symptoms. Wild yam is also used to treat cramps, menstrual problems, and rheumatic conditions.

Perennial climber with slender rhizomes and pointed, heart-shaped ovate leaves, 5-10cm (2-4in) long. Minute yellow-green flowers appear in drooping axillary spikes in summer with male and female borne separately.


Common Name:
Wild Yam
Other Names:
China Root, Colic Root, Mexican Wild Yam, Rheumatism Root, Wild Yam Root, Yuma
Botanical Name:
Dioscorea villosa
Genus:
Dioscorea
Family:
Dioscoreaceae
Native Location:
N America
Cultivation:
Rich, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Tubers may rot in cool, damp conditions when dormant.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring at 19-24°C (66-75°F); by division or sections of tubers in autumn or early spring; by bulbils planted in spring.
Harvest:
Tubers, roots, and rhizomes are lifted in autumn. Dioscorea batatas is used raw or baked with flour or soil, according to diagnosis, and D. villosa is dried for use in liquid extracts or used fresh for homeopathic preparations.
Height:
5m (15ft)
Hardiness:
Z4-8
Parts Used:
Roots, rhizomes
Chemical Constituents:
  • Dioscin
  • Diosgenin
  • Resin
  • Saponin
    		•
    Properties:
    An acrid, anti-inflammatory herb that relaxes spasms, stimulates bile flow, and dilates blood vessels.
    Known Effect:
    Breaks membranous covering, destroying red bloods cells (toxic to fish and amoeba)

    Miscellaneous Information:
    Diosgenin is a steroid base used to synthesize cortisone and progesterone (hormones).
    Possible Additional Effects:
  • May treat arthritis by allegedly removing accumulated waste in joints.
  • May reduce menopausal symptoms
  • May relieve morning sickness
  • May treat menstrual cramps
    		•
    Medicinal Uses:
    Internally for arthritis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gastritis (especially in alcoholics), gall bladder complaints, Crohn's disease, morning sickness, painful menstruation, ovarian and labor pains, bronchitis, excess mucus, asthma, whooping cough, and cramp. Used in homeopathy for colic (especially in babies).
    To treat menstrual problems, rheumatic conditions, and gallbladder colic.
    Possible Side Effects:
    Wild yam's side effects include menstrual changes, headache, and allergic reactions.
    Warnings and Precautions:
    		 Don't take if you:
  • Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan pregnancy in the near future
  • Have any chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach or duodenal ulcers, reflux esophagitis, ulcerative colitis, spastic colitis, diverticulosis, or diverticulitis
  • Are pregnant and want to treat morning sickness

    • Consult your doctor if you:
  • Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks (There may be safer, more effective treatments.)
  • Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs
    • Pregnancy:
    Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
    Breastfeeding:
    Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
    Infants and Children:
    Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.
    Others:
    None are expected if you are beyond childhood, under 45, not pregnant, basically healthy, take it only for a short time and do not exceed manufacturer's recommended dose.
    Storage:
  • Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
  • Store safely out of reach of children.
  • Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.

    • Safe Dosage:
    Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.
    Toxicity:
    Generally regarded as safe when taken in appropriate quantities for short periods of time
    Adverse Reactions, Side Effects, or Overdose Symptoms:
    Signs and Symptoms What to Do
    Diarrhea Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Nausea or Vomiting Discontinue. Call doctor immediately.
    Drug Interactions:
    Taking wild yam with these drugs may increase the estrogenic effects of the drug:
    Cyproterone and Ethinyl Estradiol, (Diane-35)
    Estradiol, (Climara, Estrace)
    Estradiol and Norethindrone, (Activella, CombiPatch)
    Estradiol and Testosterone, (Climacteron)
    Estrogens (Conjugated A/Synthetic), (Cenestin)
    Estrogens (Conjugated/Equine), (Congest, Premarin)
    Estrogens (Conjugated/Equine) and Medroxyprogesterone, (Premphase, Prempro)
    Estrogens (Esterified), (Estratab, Menest)
    Estrogens (Esterified) and Methyltestosterone, (Estratest, Estratest HS)
    Estropipate, (Ogen, Ortho-Est)
    Ethinyl Estradiol, (Estinyl)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Desogestrel, (Cyclessa, Ortho-Cept)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Ethynodiol Diacetate, (Demulen, Zovia)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Etonogestrel, (NuvaRing)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Levonorgestrel, (Alesse, Triphasil)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Norelgestromin, (Evra, Ortho Evra)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Norethindrone, (Brevicon, Ortho-Novum)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestimate, (Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen)
    Ethinyl Estradiol and Norgestrel, (Cryselle, Ovral)
    Mestranol and Norethindrone, (Necon 1/50, Ortho-Novum 1/50)
    Polyestradiol, (Polyestradiol)
    Taking wild yam with these drugs may decrease the anti-inflammatory effect of the drug:
    Celecoxib, (Celebrex)
    Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
    Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
    Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
    Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
    Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
    Piroxicam, (Feldene, Nu-Pirox)
    Rofecoxib, (Vioxx)
    Disease Effects:
    This herb may have estrogen-like effects and should not be used by women with estrogen sensitive breast cancer or other hormone sensitive conditions.
    Bibliography:
    Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. Pp 194-195
    The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.491-492
    Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals & Supplements The Complete Guide by H. Winter Griffith, MD Copyright©1998 pp. 429-430