Wild yam: introducing the root that may help lower blood sugar, cholesterol and even a bit more

HERB: Wild Yam

AKA: Dioscorea villosa, Dioscorea opposita, Mexican yam, colic root

PART USED: Root, rhizome

WHAT IT DOES BEST: Wild yam is known as an anti-inflammatory, a pain reliever and an antispasmodic, which relieves muscle spasms.

THE BACKGROUND: Historically, wild yams have been used to treat menopause symptoms, menstrual cramps, gallstones and muscle spasms.

RECENT FINDINGS:

* A small number of animal studies suggest wild yam may help lower blood sugar in diabetic animals; however, further research is needed to confirm this effect in humans, according to a report in the March 2005 issue of the West Indian Medical Journal.

* Powdered wild yam can reduce elevated cholesterol levels and increase disease-fighting antioxidant activity, according to a recent animal study in the May 2005 issue of the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology.

* While most studies have found that supplementing with wild yam does not raise hormone levels, one recent controlled study--reported in the August 2005 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition--replaced two-thirds of dietary staples (primarily rice) with yams. Researchers found hormone, cholesterol and antioxidant levels improved significantly in this group of postmenopausal women. The women ate approximately 390g of yam (Dioscoreaalata) daily for 30 days. However, since the study's results are not consistent with previous studies, further research needs to be done to confirm and understand these results.

WHAT'S THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT?

While Dioscorea has a long history of use and effectiveness, there are few published studies on the active constituents. Those identified thus far are in a group known as steroidal saponins. Steroidal saponins cannot be converted in the body to hormones; this is why many experts say taking wild yam does not appear to increase hormone levels.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:

Wild yam is considered nontoxic, but nausea and vomiting may occur if the amount taken is several times larger than recommended.

IS IT SAFE TO TAKE WHILE PREGNANT?

Do not take wild yam while pregnant.

ARE THERE ANY DRUG INTERACTIONS?

Wild yam has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness or purity, but there is some evidence suggesting that the diosgenin in wild yam may decrease the anti-inflammatory effect of indomethacin (a nonsteroidal drug with anti-inflammatory properties). When taking estrogen-containing drugs, wild yam may increase their effect.

WHICH TYPE AND HOW MUCH?

* As a tincture, choose a 1:5 concentration and use 2-3ml three times daily.

* As a dry powder, take 1g three times daily.

* As a cream, use as directed.

Adding NATURE'S ANSWER WILD YAM extract to water may help relieve menstrual pain.

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Add NATURE'S APOTHECARY WILD YAM extract to drinks for possible muscle spasm relief.

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PLANETARY FORMULAS WILD YAM-BLACK COHOSH COMPLEX combines botanicals thought to support menopause.

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Taken daily, OREGON'S WILD HARVEST WILD YAM may fight off inflammation.

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