Wild yam

Wild yam

Taxobox
name = Wild yam


image_width = 230px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Dioscoreales
familia = Dioscoreaceae
genus = "Dioscorea"
species = "D. villosa"
binomial = "Dioscorea villosa"
binomial_authority = L.

"Dioscorea villosa" is a species of a twining tuberous vine that is native to and found growing wild in North America. Its fame is based on its steroid-like saponins which can be chemically converted to progesterone [http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Wildyamch.html contraceptives] ; and cortisone.

Wild Yam is believed to be helpful to the liver and endocrine system. It regulates the female system, particularly during menstrual distress and menopause,as well as used in treating infertility. Used with chaste berry and dandelion it is an effective treatment for morning sickness.

Usually found wild in the eastern half of North America, it is a perennial plant that is a low creeper, and occupies average to poor soils and full sun.

External links

* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DIVI4 PLANTS profile]
* [http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/wild-yam-000280.htm Wild yam] from University of Maryland Medical Center
* [http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/wildyam.html Wild Yam Cream] article on Quackwatch


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Wild yam — Yam Yam (y[a^]m), n. [Pg. inhame, probably from some native name.] 1. (Bot.) A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various climbing plants of the genus {Dioscorea}; also, the plants themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants have… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wild yam — noun having a rhizome formerly dried and used to treat rheumatism or liver disorders • Syn: ↑Dioscorea paniculata • Hypernyms: ↑vine • Member Holonyms: ↑Dioscorea, ↑genus Dioscorea * * * noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • wild yam — gauruotoji dioskorėja statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Dioskorėjinių šeimos vaistinis augalas (Dioscorea villosa), paplitęs Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Dioscorea villosa angl. wild yam šaltinis Valstybinės lietuvių kalbos komisijos… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • wild yam — any of several uncultivated yams, esp. Dioscorea villosa, of the U.S., having a woody, tuberous root. [1835 45] * * * …   Universalium

  • Yam — (y[a^]m), n. [Pg. inhame, probably from some native name.] 1. (Bot.) A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various climbing plants of the genus {Dioscorea}; also, the plants themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants have netted… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Yam (vegetable) — Yam is the common name for some species in the genus Dioscorea (family Dioscoreaceae).These are perennial herbaceous vines cultivated for the consumption of their starchy tubers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. There are hundreds of… …   Wikipedia

  • Wild China — Infobox nature documentary bgcolour = show name = Wild China caption = Series title card picture format = 576i (SDTV), 1080i (HDTV) audio format = Stereo runtime = 60 minutes creator = BBC Natural History Unit, CCTV developer = producer = Phil… …   Wikipedia

  • Yam Islands — The Yam Islands, Yamsky Islands or Yamskiye Islands (Ямские острова; Yamskiye Ostrova), is a small island group located close to the coast in the northern Sea of Okhotsk. It lies about 250 Km east of Magadan, only 10 Km from the shores of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Chinese yam — Yam Yam (y[a^]m), n. [Pg. inhame, probably from some native name.] 1. (Bot.) A large, esculent, farinaceous tuber of various climbing plants of the genus {Dioscorea}; also, the plants themselves. Mostly natives of warm climates. The plants have… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mool Yam — …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”