Western Bulk Herbs – Wild Yam Root

Wild yam used to treat pain from arthritis and rheumatism. It also relieves muscle spasms, pain from childbirth, menses, or ovarian pain. It is used to inflammation of the gall bladder and irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulitis. Try with Calamus, Chamomile, and Ginger to take on intestinal cholic. Pair with Black Cohosh when dealing with rheumatoid arthritis.

Latin Name:
Dioscorea villosa

Common Names:
Yam, Colic root, Rheumatism Root, China root, yuma, and devil’s bones.

Parts Used:
The dried tuber.

Properties:
Antispasmodic, diuretic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, and sweat inducer

Traditional Uses:
Used in teas, infusions, capsules, and added to creams and ointments.

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Not normally used in cooking but can be added to soups and stews.

Chemical Properties:
scorbic acid, beta-carotene, chromium, cobalt, dioscin, diosgenin, fiber, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, silicon, sodium, tin, zinc.

Folk Lore:

Cautions:
Do not use Wild Yam if you hae bile duct inflammation or obstruction from impacted gallstones, bile duct cancer, or pancreatic cancer. Do not use if you have any sort of liver or gall bladder problems.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.
The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.
A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)
Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.