Wild Yam

Wild Yam

Latin Name: Dioscorea villosa
Family: Dioscoraceae

Part used: Dried rhizome.
Energetics: Bitter, astringent, cool, dry.
Iris: Hematogenic
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Pregnancy
  • Hormone-sensitive cancers
  • Compromised renal function
  • Large doses produce emetic action, diarrhoea & headaches

ACTIONS

  • Anti-bilious
  • Parturient
  • Anti-oestrogenic
  • Thyro active
  • Adrenal agent
  • Hypoglycaemic
  • Expectorant
  • Peripheral vasodilator
  • Diuretic
  • Anti-rheumatic
  • Anti-inflammator(due to steroidal effect)
  • Muscle relaxant
  • Antispasmodic
  • Cholagogue
  • Diaphoretic
  • Anti-fungal
  • Carminative
  • Antiemetic

Main Constituents

  • Steroidal saponins (diosgenin)
  • Sterols - DHEA
  • Alkaloids
  • Tannin
  • Starch
  • Vitamins: A, C
  • Minerals: Cr, P, K.

Main Uses

Digestive System: Biliary and intestinal colic, Stomach cramps, IBS, Diarrhoea
Circulatory: Increases HDL cholesterol

Infections:
Fungi: Candida
Protozoa: Entamoeba histolytica
Nervous system: Neuralgia
Musculo-Skeletal System: Muscle cramps
Endocrine System: Dysmenorrhoea, Hormone imbalance, Mastitis, Hormone balance
Urinary System: UTI’s

More About Wild Yam

The steroid saponin ‘diosgenin’ in wild yam modulates cell signaling involved in growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and oncogenesis.
Some creams containing Wild Yam may be promoted as a natural source of progesterone, when it is really synthetic progesterone or comes from other sources. Wild yam itself does not contain progesterone, but diosgenin in wild yam can be used to make progesterone in the lab.
Wild yam rhizome is best prepared as a decoction or tincture and should be taken for 3 months for the full progestogenic action.
To prevent threatened miscarriage - 2.5-5ml tincture every hour
Postpartum pain - 25-50 drops tincture every 30-60 minutes.
Wild yam is an important remedy for the digestive organs too, such as colic, gallstones and IBS. It is a sympathetic nervous antagonist and has antispasmodic and analgesic actions that relieve painful spasms through the smooth muscle organs.
The antispasmodic action also works on the uterus in cases of dysmenorrhoea and PMS.
Progesterone deficiencies in general such as those found in menopause, osteoporosis, hirsutism, chronic miscarriage, vomiting during pregnancy all call for Wild yam root.
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions are all due to the steroidal saponins.

Recipes:


Wild Yam Cream

Ingredients:

  • 42g of dried wild yam root
  • 109g of coconut oil or olive oil
  • 56g of shea butter
  • A few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional for fragrance)

Instructions:

  • In a double boiler (bain marie) or a heatproof bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, combine the dried wild yam root, coconut oil (or olive oil), and shea butter.
  • Allow the mixture to heat gently for about 1-2 hours, ensuring that it doesn't boil or overheat.
  • Remove the mixture from heat and strain out the wild yam root using a fine sieve or cheesecloth.
  • Allow the mixture to cool and solidify.
  • If desired, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Mix well.
  • Store the cream in a clean, airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place.
Wild Yam Tea

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 teaspoons of dried wild yam root
  • 1 cup of boiling water

Instructions:

  • Place the dried wild yam root in a cup.
  • Boil water and pour it over the dried wild yam root.
  • Cover and steep for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Strain and drink the infusion while it's warm.

References


Breast Cancer

Effects of Wild Yam Root ( Dioscorea villosa) Extract on the Gene Expression Profile of Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells,
Sub-lethal concentrations of WYE appear to evoke pro-inflammatory, steroid biosynthetic and cytostatic effects in TNBC cells.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34697066/

Anti-inflammatory

Bioassay-guided evaluation of Dioscorea villosa - an acute and subchronic toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory approach.
We found that DV possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models. In addition, no acute or subchronic toxicity was evident when the herbal extract was administered orally. These results supporting the folkloric usage of the plant to treat various inflammatory diseases.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23889998/

Menopause

The assessment of efficacy of Diascorea alata for menopausal symptom treatment in Taiwanese women.
Compared with placebo, Diascorea alata improves symptoms, particularly the psychological parameters in menopausal women. Safety monitoring indicated that standardized extracts of Diascorea alata were safe during daily administration over a period of 12 months.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20653397/

Postmenopause

Estrogenic effect of yam ingestion in healthy postmenopausal women
Although the exact mechanism is not clear, replacing two thirds of staple food with yam for 30 days improves the status of sex hormones, lipids, and antioxidants. These effects might reduce the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16093400/

Anti-cancer, chemopreventative

Cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of diosgenin, a food saponin.
The anticancer mode of action of diosgenin has been demonstrated via modulation of multiple cell signaling events involving critical molecular candidates associated with growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and oncogenesis. Altogether, these preclinical and mechanistic findings strongly implicate the use of diosgenin as a novel, multitarget-based chemopreventive or therapeutic agent against several cancer types.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19116873/

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