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Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Dioscoreales
Family: Dioscoreaceae
Genus: Dioscorea
Species: D. villosa
Other Names: Dioscorea villosa, China root, Mexican yam, colic root, devil’s bones, rheumatism root, yuma, and rheumatism root and Wilde Yamwurzel

Habitat
Native to Eastern N. America from New England to Minnesota and Ontario, south to Florida and Texas. Most common in the central and southern United States Wild Yam is found growing in damp woods and swamps, thickets, roadside fences and hedges and occupies average to poor soils and full sun.

Description
Wild Yam is a perennial climbing vine . The plant is a trailing vine climbing over adjacent shrubs and bushes,(It is a low creeper) growing to a length of 15 feet or more with a smooth, reddish-brown stem and heart-shaped long petioled leaves from 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 4 inches wide.
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Leaves have very prominent veins which run lengthwise from the center top of the heart shape out into a fan pattern. They are usually alternate, but sometimes grow in twos and fours near the base of the plant. The root runs horizontally beneath the surface of the ground, it is long, branched, crooked, and woody, forming tubers which are light brown outside and white fibrous inside. The small, greenish-yellow flowers are produced in drooping clusters about 3 to 6 inches long (male) and in drooping, spike-like heads (female), blooming from June to August. Gather tubers and roots in fall, dry for later herb use. Not to be stored for longer than 1 year.Dioscorea villosa is a species of a twining tuberous vine .

Cultivation
Wild Yam is easy from root cuttings taken in the winter or late fall. Tubercles or baby tubers can be found in the leaf axils in late summer and early autumn. These should be taken when about pea size and easily fall away from the vine. They should be planted immediately in individual pots and kept inside till spring. Wild yam prefers sandy to loamy medium, well-drained, moist soils and requires partial shade.

Constituents:  Much saponin has been found in the roots, and a substance improperly called dioscorein, obtained by precipitating the tincture with water.

Medicinal Action & Uses:
Antispasmodic. Perhaps the best relief and promptest cure for bilious colic, especially helpful in the nausea of pregnant women. Valuable also in painful cholera morbus with cramps, neuralgic affections, spasmodic hiccough and spasmodic asthma.

Dosage: 1/2 to 1 drachm of fluid extract. Dioscorein, 1/4 to 4 grains.

Poisonous, if any, with Antidotes:   An alkaloid separated from the Javanese D. hirsuta has been found to be a convulsive poison, resembling picrotoxin, but much feebler.

Click to see herbal uses of  Wild Yam (Dioscoreaceae)

Wild yam has been used for menstrual cramps and discomfort, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach cramps and pain from gallstones. ailments.

Women in Mexico, for ages, ate the tuber of the Wild Yam as a birth control method. Scientific research has found that the tuber of Dioscorea does contain steroids. These same steroids were then synthetically developed and are used in the manufacturing of birth control pills.

Wild yam is sometimes suggested as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. While components of wild yam are chemically manufactured into the hormones progesterone or estrogen, the body is unable to use wild yam in the same way.Its fame is based on its steroid-like saponins which can be chemically converted to progesterone contraceptives; and cortisone.It is believed to be helpful to the liver and endocrine system. It regulates the female system, particularly during menstrual distress and menopause,as well as used in treating infertility. Used with chaste berry and dandelion it is an effective treatment for morning sickness.

You may click to see:->

Wild yam as herbal suppliment

Wild Yam An Herbal Contraceptive

Recipe
Decoction: Place 8oz. chopped root in nonmetallic sauce pan, cover with water and bring to boil, reduce heat simmer for 20 to 30 min. Strain and store in refrigerator. Take in ½ cup doses twice a day.

How to take wild yam?
The use of wild yam in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.If you choose to take wild yam, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.

Take the pill forms of wild yam with a full glass of water.
To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of wild yam with a dropper or a dose-measuring spoon or cup.

Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquids, and others) of wild yam at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of wild yam. Store wild yam as directed on the package. In general, wild yam should be protected from light and moisture.

What happens if you miss a dose?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of wild yam. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.

What happens if you overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a wild yam overdose are not well known but might include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What should you avoid while taking wild yam?
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking wild yam, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.

Who should not take wild yam?
Before taking wild yam, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Wild yam may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take wild yam without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether wild yam will harm an unborn baby. Do not take wild yam without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether wild yam will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of wild yam by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child’s doctor.

Side effects
Although rare, allergic reactions to wild yam may occur. Stop taking wild yam and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.
Other less serious side effects have not been reported, although they may occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_yam

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/wild-yam.html

http://consejo.bz/belize/bushmedicine.html

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/y/yam—01.html.

http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=79&cntnt01returnid=58

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