Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)

Question 1

How do you recognise Wild Yam?

Answer 1

A climbing vine.
* Grows in North America from Texas to Ontario.
* Has been overharvested in the wild and some
populations are threatened.

Question 2

What are Wild Yam’s main constituents?

Answer 2

Constituents:
* Steroidal saponins including dioscin and diosgenin.
* Dioscorine – an alkaloid.
Progesterone for the contraceptive pill was originally synthesized from diosgenin from Dioscorea mexicana. Based upon this information D. villosa is used in many OTC products as a remedy for menopausal symptoms. Most researchers, however, say that although synthesis of progesterone from diosgenin is possible in a lab, it is not possible in a human body.
The steroidal saponins in wild yam are anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory.

Question 3

What family is Wild Yam in?

Answer 3

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Question 4

What is Wild Yam good for?

Answer 4

**Summary: Bendle uses mainly for IBS as its anti inflammatory and antispasmodic, and also for gallbladder/ gallstones.

Actions:
* Antispasmodic
* Relaxant
* Anti-inflammatory
* Expectorant.
* Research has noted some antibacterial effects and the plant is also being investigated for use in cancer.

Applications:
* Was used by the Meskwaki people to reduce pain in childbirth.
* Colicky pain in GIT – inflammatory bowel disease, IBS & diverticulitis.
* Cholecystitis.
* Dysmenorrhea.
* Nausea and vomiting.
* To reduce pain in endometriosis & prostatitis.
* Joint pain.
* Few herbalists seem to currently use the plant as an expectorant.

Question 5

What is Wild Yam’s Latin name?

Answer 5

Dioscorea villosa L.

Question 6

What parts of Wild Yam do you use?

Answer 6

Part used: root

Question 7

What safety issues might Wild Yam have?

Answer 7

Bone & Mills suggest the plant works best as a tincture. 20 – 30ml 1:3 tincture/week.
Safety:
* Dioscorine is toxic in large amounts (causes nausea dizziness and vomiting). Not problematic inpractice.
* Bone & Mills suggest that Dioscorea should not be used long term as it may increase the amount of cholesterol in the bile risking the formation of gallstones.
* One study from 2008 suggests that Dioscorea can cause kidney problems

Question 8

What useful research does Wild Yam have?

Answer 8

External links:
Dioscorea Plants: A Genus Rich in Vital Nutrapharmaceuticals-A Review

This contextualises D. villosa within the genus but says little specifically about this plant but does note research identifying antibacterial, hepatoprotective, painkilling & anti-inflammatory effects.

Most research on this plant seems to be debunking progesterone claims.