Bulk Herbs: Wild Yam Root
Dioscorea composita, Dioscorea villosa
Size: 1 oz package
Format: Cut
Plant Part: Root & Rhizome
Farming: Wildcrafted
Also Known as: wild yam, colic root, rheumatism root, china root, Yuma, devil's bones, African nyami, Chinese yam, barbasco, Devil’s Bone, Colic Root
Origin: Mexico
Wild yam is a twining vine, meaning it supports itself by wrapping around trees or sturdy plants since it can not stand alone. Its characteristic branched rhizomes are woody, knotted, elongated, and curved. They have thin, reddish-brown colored stems that reach lengths up to 12 meters. Wild yams do not have the large, soft, fleshy tubers of the sweet potato nor the types of yams used primarily for food. Instead, the wild yam produces very dry and narrow rhizomes. These are twisted and knotty, bearing horizontal branches of long creeping runners.
Wild yams have broad, heart-shaped leaves that are large and flat. The plant's small, vanilla-scented yellowish-white flowers are also small and smooth. The upper side of the leaves is smooth, and the underside is downy. Tiny tubercles grow where the leaves branch from the plant.
The plant's early-summer-blooming flowers are dioecious and are followed by small greenish fruits. These will turn brown and remain clinging to the vine during the winter. Typical preparations of wild yam root include decoction or maceration as a liquid extract. Wild yam is often incorporated into multi-herbal formulations.
Wild Yam should not be confused with Common Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) or Purple Yam (Dioscorea Alata).
Active Compounds: Steroidal saponins based on diosgenin (dioscin, dioscin, and others), Starch, Alkaloids, Tannins, Phytosterols
Actions: Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, analgesic, anti-tussive, anti-asthmatic, expectorant, anti-diabetic, vasodilator, cardiac sedative, bitter, hepatic, diuretic
Indications: uterine cramping, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), urinary tract infection (UTI), interstitial cystitis, menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, natural alternative to estrogens, and to increase energy and sexual desire in men and women.
Precautions: Wild yam may be safe to take by mouth for up to 12 weeks. However, taking large amounts might cause vomiting, upset stomach, and headache. For hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids, wild yam might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by estrogen, don't use wild yam.
Herbal Magick: Health & healing; used to charm someone; love drawing, lust, and passion; fertility.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.