Wild Yam (Dioscorea Villosa) is a perennial vine native to North America, Mexico and Asia. It is also known as wild Mexican yam, colic root, rheumatism root, Chinese yam and shan yao. The roots and rootstocks are used in herbal medicine. The active compound is believed to be diosgenin. It is available in oral and topical forms.
A myth that Wild Yam is a source of progesterone was widespread until recently when the scientists discovered that Wild Yam contains saponin and diosgenin but not progesterone. Saponin and diosgenin can be converted to progesterone only in laboratories and body cannot convert any of its components to progesterone. Now it is known as pharmaceutical progesterone. It is anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic and is used in many medical conditions.
Here are Few Medicinal Uses of Wild Yam:
- Wild yam has anti-inflammatory properties, and has been used to help reduce the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.
- Wild yam is used in the products that help women lose weight, increase energy and stamina, and enhance sex drive.
- Herbalists have used wild yam to treat colic, flatulence and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Wild yam is used in herbal medicines that stimulate appetite. It is also a remedy for chronic diarrhoea, asthma, fatigue, uncontrollable or frequent urination, diabetes, and emotional instability.
- A clinical trial found that wild yam has free-radical-fighting antioxidant properties. Another study found that wild yam extract might help raise HDL cholesterol (the good kind) in the elderly.
- Wild yam has been used by herbalists to help relax muscles, which may occur, in part, due to substances in wild yam called alkaloids. This may also provide relief for menstrual cramps and endometriosis.
- Substances in wild yam may help to regulate the body’s metabolism and useful for enhancing virility.
Side effects and Precautions:
- Large doses of wild yam may cause nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting.
- People with hormone dependent conditions, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus or prostate shouldn’t take wild yam.
- Pregnant or nursing women or children should not take wild yam.
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