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.
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