Western Herbalism
Wild yam
Dioscorea villosa
Also known as Colic root, Rhematism root, China root, Dioscorea, Rheumatism-root, yam, Mexican wild yam.
The decoction of dioscorea has been wonderfully effective in some cases of bilious colic and has signally failed in others. If it does not give relief in a half hour it is not likely to succeed. The specific medicine administered in hot water has the same effect.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Pain (reproductive tract)
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (spasmodic, w/ nocturia, daytime frequency & urgency)
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Hyperlipidemia
- Morning sickness
- Gastrointestinal cramps
- Pain (ovarian)
- Hepatic insufficiency
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Threatened miscarriage
- Gastrointestinal inflammation
- Diverticulitis
- Mittelschmerz
- Pain (gastrointestinal)
- Reproductive tract inflammation
- Joint inflammation
- Labor
- Pain (pelvic, chronic)
- Gastritis
- Uterine cramps
- Kidney stone
- Cholelithiasis
- Pain (afterbirth)
- Gallstone
- Dysmenorrhea
- Colic
- Cramps
Safety
Pregnancy: Pregnancy and Lactation=insufficient data
Breastfeeding: Pregnancy and Lactation=insufficient data
The record lists 1 contraindication; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture (1:3) | 3-5 ml TID (dose frequently for acute) | 3-5 mL |
| Decoction | 2-3 tsp/c TID | |
| dose one, to two fluid ounces every half hour in colic | 29.57-59.15 mL | |
| Dioscorein | Dose, from one to four grains. | 64.8-259 mg |
| Specific Medicine Dioscorea | Dose, from one to forty minims. | 0.06-2.46 mL |
| Fifteen drops of the tincture of the specific dioscorea in half a teacupful of hot water should be drunk at a single dose, as in acute cases it is much more certain if given in this manner. | 0.75-0.75 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Action and Therapy. The decoction of dioscorea has been wonderfully effective in some cases of bilious colic and has signally failed in others. If it does not give relief in a half hour it is not likely to succeed. The specific medicine administered in hot water has the same effect.
Therapy. In the spasmodic pain of cholera morbus or cholera infantum, of diarrhea or dysentery it is useful. In neuralgic dysmenorrhea, in ovarian neuralgia, in cramp-like pains in the uterus at any time and in severe after pains it often acts satisfactorily, quickly relieving the muscular spasm.
Properties and Uses. The roots were an aboriginal remedy, and were introduced to the notice of the profession by Dr. Horton Howard though claimed by the Eclectics as dicentra and others are. It is largely relaxant and moderately stimulant, acting as an antispasmodic, and relieving nervous excitement.
Action and Medical Uses. These troches are useful in cases of colic, flatulency, borborygmi, and to cure as well as prevent a return of bilious colic. Each troche contains 2 grains of extract of dioscorea (J. King).
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; Scudder's Specific Medication and Specific Medicines; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
In formulas
Wild yam stands in 17 documented formulas in the library, among them IBS Calming Formula, sõu fêng shùn gì wán, rén shèn wũ méi tāng, shi b wán.
Often paired with
Chinese YamDioscorea opposita
Licorice rootGlycyrrhiza glabra
Bai ZhuAtractylodes macrocephala
Mai Men DongOphiopogon japonicus
GinsengPanax ginseng
Milk Vetch RootAstragalus membranaceusNearby on the shelf
Wild quinineParthenium integrifolium
Wild SarsaparillaAralia nudicaulis
Wild strawberryFragaria vesca
Wild turmericCurcuma aromatica
Wilford's cranesbillGeranium wilfordii
WillowSalix spp.
Willowleaf swallowwortVincetoxicum stauntoniiThe whole plate is in the library. The compass, Compare, the Sky of eleven hundred plants and the formulary open with an email address and a password, free, with the formula builder and its safety engine. Herbert without limit, his formulating, clients, the handouts and the labels are the paid room.
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