Home

Consortium Members

Information on Herbs
-For Consumers
-For Health Professionals
-For Growers

Herbal FAQs

Annotated Bibliography

Links

Glossary of Herbal Terms

North Carolina Consortium on Natural Medicines

Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa and other Dioscorea spp.)

Family: Dioscoreaceae

Synonyms: Colicroot, Rheumatism root,¹ Wilde Yamwurzel,² Atlantic yam, China Root, Mexican Yam, Yuma, Natural DHEA, Phytoestrogen.³

Downloadable PDF of this monograph

• Although wild yam is popular as a topical remedy for menopausal symptoms, its efficacy for this indication is not supported by clinical trials.

• Herbalists use wild yam as an antispasmodic agent (e.g., for dysmenorrhea). No clinical trials have yet been published for this indication.

• Avoid use in patients with estrogen-sensitive tumors until its estrogenic properties are better understood.

Indications supported by clinical trials

Effectiveness for menopausal symptoms: unknown. A study of topical wild yam in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study showed no difference in the treatment and control groups in FSH, estradiol, and progesterone levels or in symptoms.¹⁶ No studies have examined oral administration of wild yam.

Effectiveness for colic and cholecystitis: Unknown. No studies have been done.

Effectiveness for rheumatoid arthritis: Unknown.

No studies have looked at wild yam for treatment of joint symptoms.

• Tea (decoction) boil 1-2 tsp (2-4g) of dried root in one cup of water for 15 minutes and drink TID

• Tincture (1:5 strength in 45% ethanol): 2-10 TID

• Fluid extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) 2-4 ml TID¹⁵

Grower's Guides