Wild Yam Root - Benefits and Side Effects
 The Wild Yam Plant ( Dioscorea villosa) (Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution: Tim McCormack
Botanical Name of Wild Yam: Dioscorea villosa
Other Common Names: Colic root, aluka, China root
devil's bones, Mexican wild yam, rheumatism root, shan-yao, yuma.
Habitat: Wild yam is native to North and Central America. It has become naturalized to many tropical, subtropical and temperate areas throughout the world. This perennial, twining vine grows in damp woodlands and thickets. This plant thrives in sunny conditions and rich soil.
Plant Description: Wild yam is a tuberous, twining vine with pale-brown, knotty, woody, cylindrical tubers. The tubers are crooked and bear horizontal branches. They have a thin reddish stem that grows to a length of over 9.2 meter. This plant produces clusters of greenish-white or greenish-yellow flowers. The leaves, which are heart shaped, have a smooth top surface and downy under-surface.
Plant Parts Used: The roots and rhizome are dried and used for medicinal purposes.
Therapeutic Uses of Wild Yam and Claims
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Dosage and Administration
Wild yam is available as a tincture, liquid extract, powder extract, or in tablet or capsule form. The common dosage for this supplement is 2-3 mL (40-100 drops) of the tincture three to four times a day. The capsules or tablets may be taken in a dosage of one or two taken three times per day. The liquid extract should be taken at a dosage of 10-40 drops three to four times per day.
Side Effects and Possible Interactions of Wild Yam
Wild yam is generally safe but some people have experienced nausea when taking large doses. Its safety has not been tested in pregnant or lactating females or in young children. Wild yam contains dioscorin, which can be toxic in large amounts, it is important to stay within the recommended doses.
Wild yam has been shown to interact with estradiol, a hormone used in some birth control medications and other hormone therapies.
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