Wild Yam

METHOD TYPE:  Contraceptive/Morning After

BEST TIME TO USE METHOD:  Immediately/Before missed period

ALSO KNOWN AS:  Colic Root, Rheumatism Root, Chinese Yam, Bitter Yam, Dioscorea Villosa, Aluka, China root Devil's bones, Mexican wild yam, Shan-yao, Yuma.

Wild Yams as a Contraceptive
Wild Yams as a Contraceptive

WARNINGS:

  • If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don’t use wild yam. Conditions include breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
  • People with protein S deficiency have an increased risk of forming clots., and Wild Yam may increase clotting. If you have protein S deficiency, avoid using wild yam.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

  • Some people have experienced nausea when taking large doses. 
  • Contains dioscorin, which can be toxic in large amounts. 
  • May interact with some birth control medications and other hormone therapies that contain estradiol.

HOW IT WORKS:  

  • Wild yams contain a sapogenin called diosgenin, which is a precursor to progesterone. 
  • It is considered a "plant estrogen" which produces estrogenic effects, shown to relieve female problems. 

HOW TO USE:

  • Wild yam is available as a tincture, liquid extract, powder extract, or in tablet or capsule form. 
  • The common dosage is 2-3 mL (40-100 drops) of the tincture three to four times a day. 
  • The capsules or tablets may be taken in a dosage of one or two taken three times per day. 
  • The liquid extract should be taken at a dosage of 10-40 drops three to four times per day. 

EFFECTIVENESS:  

  • Used only as a contraceptive; Wild Yam can actually help prevent miscarriage in women who are already pregnant. 
  • Not enough scientific evidence to support it working.

COMMON USES AND KNOWN HEALTH BENEFITS:

  • Antispasmodic
  • Relieves nausea associated with morning sickness and can help prevent miscarriage for women who are already pregnant.
  • Has been used to relieve the after-pains of childbirth. 
  • Reduces fatigue, inflammation, pain and stress related to menstruation. 
  • Diaphoretic
  • Alleviates symptoms of menopause and PMS such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, and vaginal dryness. 
  • This herb has also been shown to lower blood pressure (temporarily) and cholesterol levels in the blood.

WHERE ITS FOUND:  

  • Grows in Mexico, Canada and the United States. 

TRADITION AND HISTORY:

Used to treat

  • cancer
  • diarrhea 
  • colic
  • muscle spasms 
  • painful menstruation 
  • rheumatism
  • diuretic 
  • expectorant 
  • Ease the passage of gallstones
  • Natural contraceptive; causes temporary sterility 
  • colic
  • gallbladder disorder 
  • hypoglycemia
  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 
  • kidney stones
  • neuralgia 
  • rheumatism 

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

http://www.sisterzeus.com/wildyam.htm

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-970-WILD%20YAM.aspx?activeIngredientId=970&activeIngredientName=WILD%20YAM