Wild Yam
(Dioscorea Villosa)
What is it?
Wild yam is now well known as the source of the chemical from which the female hormone progesterone is produced. It has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-spasmodic effects and also stimulates the release of bile from the gall bladder.
What it does in the body
Wild yam is used to treat pain and spasm, especially rheumatic and menstrual pain. It can also be used to treat urinary tract conditions.
Cautions
Some manufacturers claim that wild yam has a progesterone-like action in the body. This claim has not been supported by research.