Traditional Uses of Wild Yam

• Menopause Support: One of the most common traditional uses is for managing symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
• Menstrual Issues: It was believed to help with menstrual cramps, irregular periods, and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Some traditional practices used wild yam for its potential anti-inflammatory properties, offering possible relief for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Other Conditions: Wild yam has also been traditionally used to address issues such as:
  • Digestive problems (colic, nausea)
  • Low libido

  • Weak bones (osteoporosis)

     

Important Considerations

• Limited Scientific Evidence: While wild yam has a long history of traditional use, it's important to note that much of the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness is limited. More research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks.
• Diosgenin: Wild yam contains a compound called diosgenin, which can be converted into progesterone in a laboratory setting. However, the human body cannot perform this conversion efficiently. This means that wild yam does not directly increase progesterone levels in the body.
• Potential Side Effects: Wild yam may cause mild side effects like nausea or stomach upset in some individuals.
• Safety Concerns: There are concerns about potential interactions with medications and possible effects on hormone-sensitive conditions.

Always consult a healthcare professional before using wild yam supplements, especially if you have any existing medical conditions or are taking medications.

Summary
1    Plant Name
2    International Latin denomination
3    Botanical family
4    Description and habitat
5    History and tradition
6    Parts used
7    Dosage forms available
8    Usual dosages
9    Composition
9.1    Main components of the plant
9.2    Main components of buds or young shoots
9.3    Main components of essential oil
10    Properties
10.1    Properties of the plant
10.2    Properties of the bud
10.3    Properties of essential oil
11    Indications
11.1    Indications for the whole plant (phytotherapy)
11.2    Bud indications (gemmotherapy)
11.3    Specific indications for essential oil (aromatherapy)
12    Known or suspected mode of action
13    Usual formulations
14    Regulation
15    Possible side effects and precautions for use
16    Bibliographic references
Plant Name
Yam, Wild yam , Hairy dioscorea , Colic root

International Latin denomination
Dioscorea villosa L.

Other species used: Dioscorea composita , Dioscorea mexicana
Botanical family
Dioscoreaceae

Description and habitat
Perennial and climbing plant of tropical regions, wooded and humid regions, reaching 6 m high
Leaves cordate, acuminate
Flowers small, unisexual, trimerous
Irregular tuber
History and tradition
It is the only yam listed in the French Pharmacopoeia (Homeopathy)
The Aztecs and Mayans used it in their traditional medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, Dioscorea opposita (shan yao) is used.
There are several hundred species of Dioscorea , often cultivated in tropical regions, including the food yams and sweet potatoes Dioscorea alata L. and Dioscorea opposita Thunb. or Dioscorea batatas Decne, large amyliferous tubers which have almost no diosgenin , while other species have alkaloids from nicotinic acid
Parts used
Dried rhizome
Dosage forms available
Usual dosages
Composition
Main components of the plant
Steroidal saponosides whose aglycone is diosgenin
Sterols ( beta-sitosterol )
Some species have alkaloids derived from nicotinic acid
Tannins , starch
Main components of buds or young shoots
Main components of essential oil
Properties
Properties of the plant
Relaxer
Antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory
Hormonal properties (progestin)
The different Dioscorea ( Dioscorea composita , Dioscorea floribunda , Dioscorea mexicana , etc.) are an industrial source of diosgenin , a precursor of steroid hormones for the pharmaceutical industry
Diosgenin is a source of hormones through laboratory hemisynthesis, and there is no evidence that the body is able to convert diosgenin into sex steroids , but it improves hormonal functioning in ovariectomized rats [1]
Diosgenin appears to convert to progesterone in vivo [ 2]
Diosgenin stimulates nuclear progesterone receptors [3]
Small improvement in climacteric symptoms, without adverse effects [4]
Tumoricide [5]
Dioscorea opposita is anti-hypertensive [6]
Properties of the bud
Properties of essential oil
Indications
Indications for the whole plant (phytotherapy)
Premenopause:
Women are clinically much improved by the use of Dioscorea villosa , Dioscorea composita , Dioscorea mexicana
Menopause
Homeopathic indications: [7]
crampy pain improved by hyperextension
Gastric, intestinal, uterine cramps
Sciatica, rheumatic pain, arthritis
Labor pains
Bud indications (gemmotherapy)
Specific indications for essential oil (aromatherapy)
Known or suspected mode of action
Usual formulations
Regulation
Possible side effects and precautions for use
No documented adverse effects [8]
Bibliographic references
Chang, CC, Kuan, TC, Hsieh, YY, Ho, YJ, Sun, YL, & Lin, CS (2011). Effects of diosgenin on myometrial matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 activity and expression in ovariectomized rats. International journal of biological sciences, 7(6), 837–847. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.7.837 . PMID 21814480
Tucci M, Benghuzzi H. Structural changes in the kidney associated with ovariectomy and diosgenin replacement therapy in adult female rats. Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation. 2003;39:341-346. PMID 12724917
Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998; 217 (3): 369-378. PMID 9492350
Komesaroff PA, Black CV, Cable V, Sudhir K. Effects of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal women. Climacteric. 2001 Jun;4(2):144-50. PMID: 11428178
Mazzio Elizabeth A., Soliman Karam FA In Vitro Screening for the Tumoricidal Properties of International Medicinal Herbs. Phytother Res. 2009 March; 23(3): 385–398. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2650746/pdf/nihms-86121.pdf
Amat N, Amat R, Abdureyim S, Hoxur P, Osman Z, Mamut D, Kijjoa A. Aqueous extract of dioscorea opposita thunb. normalizes the hypertension in 2K1C hypertensive rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, 2:36 p.m. (21 January 2014) Full text abstract
Guermonprez, Pinkas, Torck. Homeopathic medical material. Ed. Doin. Paris. 1985, Boiron reissue. 1997.
(No author listed); Final report of the amended safety assessment of Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) root extract. Int J Toxicol. 2004;23 Suppl 2:49-54. PMID 15513824
Bertrand Liagre, Pascale Vergne-Salle, Cecile Corbiere, Jean L Charissoux, and Jean L Beneytout. Diosgenin, a plant steroid, induces apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes with cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression. Arthritis Res Ther. 2004; 6(4): R373–R383. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC464911/pdf/ar1199.pdf/?tool=pmcenter
MM Seidl and DE Stewart. Alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms. Systematic review of scientific and lay literature. Can Fam Physician. 1998 June; 44:1299–1308.
Michael McCulloch, Michael Broffman, Jin Gao, and John M. Colford, Jr. Chinese Herbal Medicine and Interferon in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials. Am J Public Health. 2002October; 92(10): 1619–1628.

Store in a cool, dry place, away from light. Keep tightly closed, away from the reach of Children and pets.

Do not exceed the daily dose.

This product is not intended to prevent or cure any form of illness or disease.
 

If you are pregnant or nursing ; If you have a medical condition or are in the course of medical treatment ; If you are programmed for theater/operation in the near future, please consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.

This product cannot replace a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

This product has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use.

For More Information please check our General Safety Herbal products Page