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Dioscorea villosa

(Common name:- Wild yam)

Classification

Dioscorea villosa

History

Wild yam is considered to be traditional medicine used for medicinal purpose. It is been used for various diseases by ancient people.

It is climbing vine native to eastern America, New England to Minnesota and Ontario, south to florida and texas.

The plant of wild yam is both edible and medicinal.

Plant Description

Wild yam is perennial climbing vine that grows upto 15 feet in height having long, smooth stem and several long leaves gushing out.

The leaves are heart-shaped, petioled, 2 to 6 inches long and 1 to 4 inches broad.

Leaves have several veins running inside lengthwise from the centre of the leaf out into a fan pattern.

The flowers produced in clusters are small green-yellow in colour and 3 to 6 inches long.

Cultivation

Wild is cultivated in Europe, northern and eastern America including few other countries.

In central and southern United States wild yam is found in swamps, damp areas, roadside fences and near hedges.

Parts Used

Roots.

Constituents

Wild yam's main constituents are glycosides, botogenin and diosgenin.

Uses

Wild yam is been a traditional herbal medicine used for various disorders like menstrual cramps and hot flashes.

It contains a constituent called diosgenin which is commercially extracted to chemically convert into harmone progesterone.

The products made of wild yam like oral pills and cream are available in market.

Wild yam is also useful in high cholesterol, muscle spasm, stress and pain.

The herbal roots of wild yam help in abdominal pain, premenstrual syndrome.

Names

Disclaimer: The site does not advice you to take any action, we only provide information based on research done by various people world wide. One should consult their doctor, physician or an expert before taking any action or herbal/natural remedy mentioned on this website.


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