Wild Yam is a good example of an herb that is widely known and
yet undervalued; with a much wider range of action than its modern
designation as a "hormonal" herb, and even in this respect there are
misconceptions. The Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) is the rhizome of a
delicate vining plant that grows on the edges of woods and thickets in
the eastern U.S. It is a cousin to many more tropical species, including
those Mexican Yams from which hormones were synthesized, and only
distantly related to edible yams. The tough, knobby root of our Wild Yam
would hardly make a delectable meal.
Its actions include anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and
muscle-relaxing effects and mild hormonal effects. Some of these
properties are due to certain steroidal compounds and pre-cursors from
which its anti-inflammatory and hormonal effects are derived. Wild Yam's
hormonal effects is a good point of departure for a brief discussion of
our conceptions of herbs and female hormones. It is widely thought that
Wild Yam has an obviously progesteronic effect, including lay use as an
aid in birth control; and yet research has shown, and some effects
suggest a partially estrogenic effect. This would speak to how herbs can
more safely be used without completely disrupting the body's balance of
hormones. After all, when the ovaries are stimulated by the pituitary,
they produce a balance of both hormones, with levels varying according
to what is going on in the cycle.
Women should note that most of the Wild Yam creams out there may
contain some Wild Yam root in them, but their strong hormonal effects
are due to "progesterone" which one can ususally find in the
ingredients. This is derived instead from Soy compounds taken through
several chemical processes in the labaratory. One can only say it is
semi-natural (or semi-synthetic), and is actually a pretty good dose of
progesterone similar to what an MD would prescribe, only absorbed more
slowly through the skin. Some women benefit from their use; but there is
the potential for side-effects just as with pills or shots. Calling
these Wild Yam creams is more a marketing technique as many people are
familiar with the Yam's formerly being used in the manufacture of birth
control pills; in reality they are no longer used as there have been
cheaper, synthetic, or more productive sources found. It is doubtful
that pre-cursors in Wild Yam, rubbed in the skin, could have much if any
profound hormonal effect without the added "natural" progesterone.
That said, and the still mysterious question of herbs and hormones
left hanging, an herbalist will turn to the observable effects of the
herb. Beginning with some of its uses for the female organs: PMS with
cramps before flow; oversensitivity and irritability. Cramping of the
menstrual period esp. with lumbar, leg pain. Colicky or cramping pain
during ovulation. Crampy pains with long or irregular cycles. Pelvic
inflammatory disease and endometriosis. Muscle and joint pains in
menopause. These would be indications for the type of person who may
benefit from its use as a hormonal balancer, but can no doubt be of
benefit used in a number of types of hormone-balancing formulas.
In pregnancy its use is reserved for acute conditions including
vomiting and morning sickness, muscle and joint pain and threatened
miscarriage (in conjunction with Black Haw Bark); but its use in
pregnancy not long continued. Also for cramping type pains in labor and
post-partum pains.
There are a substantial number of women who claim success using Wild
Yam as a birth control agent; a cup of tea or a dropperful of tincture
taken 3 x a day regularly. I would not wish to make any guarantees
myself. In our discussion of hormones we might see this as tending
toward imbalance, but would be safrer than some other alternatives; its
effects are said to wear off when it is discontinued. At the same time,
it has also been added to formulas to promote fertility, esp. taken the
last two weeks of the menstrual cycle. Wild Yam, perhaps more than most
hormonal herbs, seems to be somewhat dose-dependent in its effects.
Herbalists in other parts of the world consider the Wild Yams to be a
nourishing, sexual tonic for men, used to aid in men's fertility as
well.
The Chinese recognize Wild Yam's anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory
properties, particularly where there is tension, "restrained or
constrained Chi". This holds admirably well in tense conditions of the
digestive tract with cramping of the stomach and/or intestines,
Irritable Bowel, Colitis, and Diverticulitis. Eases gas pains, vomiting,
hiccups. For tense and colicky pains of the gall bladder. Liver tension
and pain, and is considered a mild liver tonic. Hypertension and
arterial spasms.
In the urinary tract it can relieve spasm and pain, and as an aid in strengthening the bladder sphincter in incontinence.
Finally Wild Yam's anti-inflammatory, nervine and anti-spasmodic
properties make it a valuable adjunct for muscle, joint and tendon pain:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibro-myalgia, joint and muscle-pain in general. I
have found it particularly valuable where joints and tendons are both
involved esp. for elbow and knee pain. Tendonitis. Leg pains and cramps.
Our Wild Yam is little understood even in its one-dimensional modern
designation as a "hormone balancer". I hope this has brough out the
great versatility of this and many other "simples".