Wild Yam Root, Wild Yam Extract and Mexican Wild Yam - More Information and Benefits

More information on and health benefits of wild yam root, wild yam extract and Mexican Wild Yam are discussed in this article.

Dried roots or rhizomes of the wild yam herb are used in commercial preparations. Traditionally, the wild yam extracts of the roots have been used to treat inflammation, muscle spasms and a range of disorders including asthma.

Related species of Dioscorea are used in the Amazon and in Central America to treat conditions including fever, urinary tract infections, colds, rheumatism (joint and muscle related conditions), arthritis, hemorrhoids, boils, and dysentery.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recognizes wild yam root as a spasmolytic, mild diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic and cholagogue and for use in the treatment of intestinal colic, diverticulitis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular rheumatism, cramps, intermittent claudicating (leg clots), cholecystitis, dysmenorrhea, and ovarian and uterine pain.

Wild yam roots indeed make useful herbal remedies, and wild yam root extracts are often used to harness their healthful properties.

Scientists are now working with over 110 species of wild yams and have identified and isolated numerous chemical compounds all with different and remarkable actions and activities. Many, like disogenin, have a key role in "precursor" chemistry.

Wild yam extract has become a popular herbal treatment and is available in many forms including capsules, creams and gels. The active constituents pass easily and quickly through the skin and therefore topical application in cream form is most often recommended. Wild yam creams, gels and lotions are discussed in more detail in another article.

Mexican Wild Yam

The use of Mexican Wild Yam extract in recommended amounts is safe but it should be noted that pregnant women should avoid wild yam in its various forms. Wild yam is available as liquid extract and powdered tuber products. The powdered form may be purchased in capsules or compressed tablets. The fluid extracts of wild yam can be used in the preparation of tea.

According to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar in Herbal Healing for Women, Mexican Wild Yam "is the most widely used herb in the world today". Over 200 million prescriptions that contain its derivatives are sold each year.

The Mexican Wild Yam herb is the plant that actually led to the viable development of markets for HRT and the birth control pill. While there are other sources of plant steroids - such as soybeans, agaves and yucca - Mexican Wild Yam is the best, and most concentrated, source of diosgenin.

Certified Potency Mexican Wild Yam-Power is the highest quality, most potent and most effective form of Mexican Wild Yam extract available. Standardized for 10% diosgenin, Mexican Wild Yam-Power offers all the naturally-balanced active principles while retaining and enhancing all the whole-plant synergistic benefits, thus making it not only one of the world's finest and purest plant extracts, but also faster-acting than regular Mexican Wild Yam powder.

A common way people take Mexican Wild Yam to help with menopause symptoms are in the form of wild yam cream. Wild yam cream, wild yam gel and wild yam lotion are discussed in another article.

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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