Latin name: Dioscorea villosa.

Wild Yam has a long history of usage in Central America, and was popular amongst the Ancient Aztec and Maya people primarily for pain relief. The plant is also known as colic root and rheumatism root. One of the constituent parts of the plant has in recent years become important as a starting point for the synthesising of progesterone (one of the main female sex hormones) and also cortisone. The progesterone synthesised from wild yam was subsequently used in the manufacture of the first contraceptive pill.

The Benefits of Wild Yam

Menstrual problems – in North and Central America, wild yam has been used traditionally as a relaxing remedy for painful menstruation, ovarian pain and to alleviate cramps. Many women have found this a useful herb during the menopause.

Anti-inflammatory – due to the herb’s anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic action, it has been regularly used to ease the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and rheumatism.

Muscle spasms and pain – due to the high levels of plant steroids, the wild yam has been effective in pain relief for many centuries, and is also effective in the relief of digestive problems such as colic, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis.

Properties

Diosgenin – this steroid-like substance is a precursor in the synthesis of progesterone, and it is said that without the wild yam we would not be able to meet the worldwide demand for synthetic corticosteroids. Diosgenin provides about 50% of the raw material for steroid synthesis.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) – this substance is identical to a hormone produced in the adrenal glands of mammals, and is the most abundant steroid circulating in the plasma of healthy humans. Recent research has shown that the higher the level of DHEA in the blood, the lower is the risk of developing obesity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It would also appear that low levels of DHEA may actually lead to premature death because men with higher levels actually live longer.

Contra-indications/Precautions

Not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the hormonal effects of the product. Oral oestrogen supplementation may retard the metabolism of the steroidal hormones within the wild yam.

Further Reading:-

Articles:

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