AKA: Aluka, Barbasco, Colic Root, China Root, Devil's bones, Rhuematism root, Shan, Yao, Yuma, Dioscorea Villosa

This tuberous vine can be found growing in wild all over the Eastern part of North America. It is a low creeping perennial that can grow in average to poor soil and likes the full sun. The plant is loaded with steroid like saponins that can convert into progesterone contraceptives and cortisone. It is a good antispasmodic  that is good for menstrual cramps, relaxing muscles, soothing nerves, relieving pain, aiding in circulation and helping with inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Benefits and Uses  

• Cramps
• PMS
• Relaxing muscles
• Rheumatism
• Poor circulation
• Liver Health
• Lowering Blood Pressure

Wild Yam has long been used for women’s reproductive health including PMS and menopause. As a stimulant, it can help increase bile flow, relieve hepatic congestion, bilious colic and gallstones. It is also known to help with overall liver health by helping to lower blood pressure and cholesterol which increases the livers overall efficiency.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the steroidal saponins make the wild yam very useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disorder. It is also a diuretic, which when combined with its antispasmodic effect, helps with painful conditions of the urinary tract.

Wild yams can be taken in capsule or tea form although the flavor may not be to the liking of everyone. The powder can also be added to cream or vaginal ointments.

Warnings

Due to its estrogenic effects, women with hormone dependent conditions (endometriosis, uterine fibroids, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer of the uterus) and men with prostate cancer should avoid taking wild yam.

Because it may cause the uterus to contract and possibly cause a miscarriage, pregnant women should not take wild yam.

Infants, small children or breast feeding mothers should also avoid wild yam.

coming soon....