Wild
Yam
(Dioscorea villosa)
colic root, rheumatism root
Description:
A perennial, twining plant, with long, knotty, crooked root-stocks
and thin, smooth stems. The leaves are alternate. The lower
leaves are in whorls of 3-8 heart-shaped, hairy beneath and
veins conspicuous. The small flowers are greenish-yellow and
not showy. The male flowers are in drooping panicles, the female
in drooping spicate racemes. The fruit is a three-winged capsule
with winged seeds. Found throughout eastern, central U.S. in
wet woods, on hedges, fences.
Medicinal:
It is a antispasmodic, diuretic, expectorant, and emetic in
large doses. The root tea helps to relieve morning sickness,
labor pains, leg and menstrual cramps, colic, gas, asthma, soothing
to the nerves, neuralgia and pains in the urinary tract. It
contains diosgenin, a precursor of progeserone used to make
contraceptive pills. It also yields cortisone and steroids.
Used as an anti-inflammatory to treat arthritis, and in hydrocortisone
creams for eczema. Steep 1 teaspoon of the root in 1 cup water
for 30 minutes. Take 1 cup through the day, a mouthful at a
time. In tincture form, take 10-30 drops in water 3-4 times
a day or as needed.
