Wild Yam (6% Diosgenin)

History and Uses:
Wild Yam is found across the United States (east and midwest), Latin America, China, Africa, Peru and India. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the root and the rhizome. This herb's tuberous root has a long history of both medicinal and culinary use. This valuable herb was, at one time, the sole source of chemicals that were originally used as the raw materials for contraceptive hormone manufacture. Wild Yam has been used to nourish, in particular, the female reproductive system. Not to be confused with the tuberous sweet potato yam, Wild Yam is widely used in the world today to supply nutrients essential for optimal glandular function. It is said to nutritionally benefit the urinary, nervous and respiratory systems, too. In herbal medicine, Wild Yam is a remedy that has been used to relieve intestinal colic, soothe diverticulitis and ease dysmenorrhea, ovarian and uterine pain, as listed by the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. It has also been greatly employed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, especially the acute phase where there is intense inflammation. Traditional herbalists have recommended this herb for bilious colic, colic with spasmodic contractions, yellow skin and conjunctiva, paroxysmal abdominal pain and stomach problems. Known topical applications of this herb include its use as a salve for eczema. Recently, Wild Yam has been incorporated into a number of salves for women in an attempt to promote hormonal production. Wild Yam has been used for centuries in Central America as a natural pain reliever. The primary chemical constituents of Wild Yam include steroidal saponins (dioscin, which becomes diosgenin), starch, alkaloid and tannins. It is considered a mild diaphoretic. The steroidal saponins (such as diosgenin) account for some of the activity of this herb. Another compound, dioscoretine, has been shown in animal studies to lower blood sugar levels. Diosgenin is a precursor to progesterone, and was once used to make birth control pills. Wild Yam also helps to normalize hormones after an abortion. This herb is believed to reduce menstrual cramping, relieve some symptoms related to menopause, decrease water retention and alleviate nausea caused by pregnancy. Wild Yam's antispasmodic properties relax muscles and help reduce inflammations. Wild Yam is also thought to be beneficial in treating arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms. Other uses for Wild Yam have included easing digestion by dilating vessels and stimulating bile flow, as well as contributing to the reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure levels.