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Herbs: Wild Yam root - cut

Common Names: Wild yam, colic root, China root, rheumatism root
Latin Name: Dioscorea villosa

Excerpts from Nutritional Herbology

Wild Yam root comes from a vine-like herb common to the eastern United States. The root material is very hard and woody. Formerly the virtues of the plant were extracted by soaking it in whisky for up to a month. It has been grown commercially in Mexico since the discovery that is contains steroidal compounds which can be processed into pharmaceutical steroids. This use of the root, coupled with its traditional use as an antispasmodic and antirheumatic gave rise to the saying that wild yam is a natural steroid. Indeed, it contains compound that are similar in chemical structure to steroids, but these compounds must be digested, absorbed and processed by one’s body before becoming steroids or hormones. Eating foods such as wild yam thus provides the building blocks for many complex glandular manufacturing processes.

Wild yam root has traditionally been used to treat any type of muscle spasm and inflammatory condition. It is especially associated with relief of inflammatory bowel conditions, arthritis, rheumatism, colic and spasmodic dysmenorrhea.

The action of wild yam is based entirely on it steroidal gycosides. The mechanism of their action is probably quite different for each person that consumes this herb. The body manufactures a wide variety of compounds out of the building blocks provided by wild yam root. This could explain the balancing effects it has on the digestive and reproductive systems.

Contains bitter compounds that promote sweating, relieve muscle cramps, and reduce inflammation. It has been used to treat arthritis, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, and gastritis.

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