Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | July, 2011

You entered Devil’s-bones, the more common name is...

Wild Yam has anti-spasmodic as well as anti-inflammatory properties and therefore aids and sooths with numerous afflictions. Such as, muscular spasms and all types of cramping, labor pains, arthritis, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gall bladder, flatulence and gastric ailments, menopause symptoms and menstruation pains and bloating. These ailments are usually treated with infusions prepared from boiling the dehydrated roots that have been harvested in the autumn or by including the root extract in ointments, creams and capsules. In the laboratory Wild Yam can be chemically converted to progesterone contraceptives and cortisone. Wild Yam is not a form a hormone replacement nor a reliable birth control, though rumor believes it to be.

Wild Yam

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Dioscorea villosa)


Typically, found growing wild in the eastern half of North America, this perennial plant is a low creeper that grows in average to poor soil and full sun.



Common Names:

Aluka, China Root, Devil’s-bones, Mexican Wild Yam, Rheumatism Root, Shan-yao, Yuma


Wild Yam

Uses:

Wild Yam has anti-spasmodic as well as anti-inflammatory properties and therefore aids and sooths with numerous afflictions. Such as, muscular spasms and all types of cramping, labor pains, arthritis, colic, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gall bladder, flatulence and gastric ailments, menopause symptoms and menstruation pains and bloating. These ailments are usually treated with infusions prepared from boiling the dehydrated roots that have been harvested in the autumn or by including the root extract in ointments, creams and capsules. In the laboratory Wild Yam can be chemically converted to progesterone contraceptives and cortisone. Wild Yam is not a form a hormone replacement nor a reliable birth control, though rumor believes it to be.



Applications:

Capsule:
1 to 2 capsules or tablets taken 3 times a day.

Tincture:
2 to 3 ml of tincture taken 3 to 4 times a day.

Infusion:
Use dried tubular roots.


Warnings:

Large amounts may cause nausea.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.