Wild Yam

Dioscorea villosa

Wild Yam

Wild yam is a vine native to North America (species: villosa) and has also been called, “Colic Root”. It became a popular ingredient in natural products (natural progesterone creams), somewhat erroneously , due to poorly interpreted science*. This irresponsible use of Wild Yam is disheartening because this plant is rare or endangered in much of its natural range in eastern North America. In the 1700’s and 1800’s wild yam was used by herbalists and Eclectic physicians for menstrual complaints, assisting with the pain of child labor, and for digestive disturbances in children and coughs. Since the plant is rich in soapy-tasting compounds called sapponins, it has a fairly bitter taste; and therefore it has not been consumed as a food source, but rather, used for supplemental purposes.

What is Wild Yam Used For?

*The plant does contain a chemical called Diosgenin, which can be converted to Progesterone in the laboratory, but not in the human digestive system. Fenugreek seeds also contain a fair amount of Disogenin. It would be better to follow the lead of the wise herbalists, midwives, and physicians of earlier centuries and reserve the use of this plant for addressing digestive disturbances, supporting proper gallbladder function, and for supporting a proper inflammatory response during menses.