-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Dioscorea villosa

synonyms: wild yam, colic root

part(s) used: root

qualities: bitter, neutral, dry

affinities:

actions: anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, diaphoretic

dosage:

» tincture: 1 - 2 ml.

» powder: 400 - 800 mg

specific indications: bilious colic; skin and conjunctiva yellow, with nausea and colicky pain; tongue coated, stomach deranged, and paroxysmal pain in the abdomen; twisting or boring pain, radiating from the umbilical region, with spasmodic contraction of the belly muscles; colic with tenderness on pressure, which gives relief to the spasmodic action (Felter and Scudder, p. 344)

therapy: indigestion; dysenteric tenesmus; cholera morbus; ovarian neuralgia; spasmodic dysmenorrhea; nausea of pregnancy; after-pains; obstinate and painful vomiting; gastralgia (Felter and Lloyd, p. 660); intestinal colic; diverticulitis; rheumatoid arthritis; muscular rheumatism; cramps and intermittent claudication; cholecystitis; dysmenorrhea; ovarian and uterine pain (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 79)

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1

toxicity: 1

» contraindicated during pregnancy due to teratogenic potential (Brinker, p. 43)

» contraindicated in peptic ulcers; long term use may potentiate ulcers and/or prevent their detection

» caution is advised in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves’ disease, or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66 - 67); caution is also advised for those with thyroid problems, as studies indicate a possible goitrogenic response (Langer and Greer, p. 79)

» large doses cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (Spoerke, p. 149; Felter and Lloyd, p. 661)

constituents: steroidal saponins, based on diosgenin: dioscin, dioscorin, and others

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

British Herbal Medical Association. 1983. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. West Yorks, England: The British Herbal Medical Association.

Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.

Spoerke Jr., D.G. 1980. Herbal Medications. Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge Press Publishing Company.

H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.

Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.

Spoerke Jr., D.G. 1980. Herbal Medications. Santa Barbara, CA: Woodbridge Press Publishing Company.

Woodbridge Press Publishing Company.