Mexican Yam

Wild Yam Dioscorea villosa

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part is the dried rhizome with the roots.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Saponins: including dioscin (aglycone diosgenin)

Isoquinuclidine alkaloids: including dioscorin

Pyridinal alkaloids: including dioscorine

EFFECTS

Wild Yam has an antispasmodic, and a mild diaphoretic effect. The root of the plant is used as a precursor for manufacturing progesterone and estrogen in the lab. However the body does not convert diosgenin into estrogen or any other steroid.

Estrogenic effect:
Diosgenin has been found to have an estrogenic effect on mouse mammary epithelium. Ovariectomized mice that received diosgenin (sc) at dosage levels between 20 and 40 mg/kg for 15 days had significant increases in mammary development scores. When administered estrogen and disogenin, an augmentation of the estrogenic effect was recorded (Aradhana et al,1992).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Wild Yam is used for rheumatic conditions, gallbladder colic, dysmenorrhea and cramps. Wild Yam is used industrially as an active agent in the half-synthesis of steroid hormones and the manufacture of homeopathic preparations.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.