Wild Yam Benefits on Health

Wild yam benefits on health are almost too numerous to count. Although it has a long history of usage as a woman's herb, it also has several other benefits.

One of its other folk names "colic root" was given because it is very effective in treating colic. The main quality that makes wild yams effective while treating certain ailments is because of its antispasmodic properties. This particular characteristic feature of wild yams helps in relieving spasms including those in the intestines or those brought on by menstrual cramps.

In herbal medicine, wild yam is a remedy that has been used to relieve intestinal colic, soothe diverticulitis as well as ease dysmenorrhea, ovarian and uterine pain. Another of the many wild yam benefits is that it has been greatly employed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, especially during the acute phase where there is intense inflammation.

Traditional herbalists have recommended the wild yam herb for bilious colic, colic with spasmodic contractions, yellow skin and conjunctiva, paroxysmal abdominal pain and stomach problems.

This valuable herb was, at one time, the sole source of chemicals that were originally used as the raw materials for contraceptive hormone manufacture. Wild yam benefits and nourishes, in particular, the female reproductive system.

One of the many wild yam benefits in today's day and age is to supply nutrients essential for optimal glandular function. It is said to nutritionally benefit the urinary, nervous and respiratory systems, too. Known topical applications of this the wild yam herb include its use as a salve for eczema.

Besides the above, there are several other benefits of wild yam as well as benefits of wild yam extract. Hence, wild yam has been incorporated into a number of creams for women in an attempt to promote hormonal production. More on wild yam creams are discussed in another article.

The primary chemical constituents of wild yam include steroidal saponins (dioscin, which becomes diosgenin), starch, alkaloid and tannins. These contribute to the wild yam benefits on health. It is also considered a mild diaphoretic. The steroidal saponins (such as diosgenin) account for some of the activity of the wild yam herb. Another compound, dioscoretine, has been shown in animal studies to lower blood sugar levels.

Diosgenin is a precursor to progesterone, and was once used to make birth control pills. Wild yam also helps to normalize hormones after an abortion. The wild yam herb in particular is believed to relieve some symptoms related to menopause, decrease water retention and alleviate nausea caused by pregnancy.

Wild yam is probably the most widely used herbal tonic for women's health. Many women use wild yam for breast enhancement and as a sexual stimulant. It is recommended by herbalist Susan Weed, author of "Breast Cancer - Breast Health!", for healthy breast tissue.

Wild yam has long been used for its benefits in women's reproductive health, including premenstrual syndrome and menopausal problems. To harness wild yam benefits, it can be taken in capsules or in tea (though there are mixed opinions on the flavor).

The powder can also be added to creams or vaginal ointments, and can be added to your lotion for breast massage. The phytonutrients in wild yam are a good complement to the nutrients in fenugreek for stimulating breast size increases.

Another of the interesting health benefits of wild yam is its role in increasing fertility. While it used to be touted as an anti-fertility treatment and originally, birth control pills were made using this plant, when taken in small doses such as 10 to 20 drops daily from the first day of menstrual bleeding to the middle of the month (ovulation), it has actually been shown to increase fertility.

Whether or not it is correct to say that we can use wild yam to stimulate ovulation is a matter of debate, but it is an established fact that wild yam helps regulate menstrual cycles and makes them more predictable and regular. It is likely that these attributes help increase a woman's chances of fertility. It is thought that by taking it in the aforementioned small doses, it helps to ready the egg for fertilization.

It has been noted that wild yam contains plant hormone precursors, which help in the production and balancing of progesterone and estrogen. The evidence available suggests that these can sometimes help to prevent and to resolve breast cysts, and may be used as a nutritional support for breast cancer and fibroids. It is also useful for endometrial cancer, fluid retention, weight gain, depression and low thyroid function.

Further evidence suggests that wild yam benefits stress and inflammatory conditions too. Its consumption can normalize the production of the adrenal cortex hormones. The anti-stress and anti-inflammatory hormones (natural steroidal hormones) help prevent inflammation and maintain joint and general structural integrity. This would explain the anti-arthritic, especially relating to rheumatoid arthritis, and anti-rheumatic effects observed traditionally.

Other uses of wild yam have included easing digestion by dilating vessels and stimulating bile flow, as well as contributing to the reduction of cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

We now know that the Mexican Wild Yam contains diosgenin, which is a sapogenin chemical very similar to cholesterol, progesterone and DHEA - the precursor to testosterone. Diosgenin provides about 50% of the raw material for the manufacture of cortisone, progesterone, and many other steroid hormones and is a multi-billion dollar industry. Until recently, Mexican Wild Yam was the sole source of the diosgenin used in making the contraceptive pill.

As you can see, all in all, wild yam benefits health in many ways, in particular on the female reproductive system. Taking it in the right form, in the right measure and at the right time will maximize its full potential and help us reap the real benefits of this amazing herb.

Wild Yam Pages | Wild Yams - History and Methods of Use | Wild Yam Benefits on Health | Wild Yam Root, Wild Yam Extract and Mexican Wild Yam - More Information and Benefits | Benefits of Wild Yam Cream, Gel and Lotion | Wild Yam Herb Health Benefits and Properties - Research and Studies | Side Effects of Wild Yam - also Safety, Caution and Contraindications

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