wild yam Health Article

Generic name(s):

wild yam

Brand name(s):

What is the most important information I should know about wild yam?

Wild yam has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of wild yam may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

What is wild yam?

The use of wild yam in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Wild yam is also known as Dioscorea villosa, China root, Mexican yam, colic root, devil's bones, rheumatism root, yuma, and rheumatism root.

Wild yam has been used for menstrual cramps or pain, menopausal symptoms, rheumatic conditions, and gallbladder complaints. Wild yam is sometimes suggested as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. While components of wild yam are chemically manufactured into the hormones progesterone or estrogen, the body is unable to use wild yam in the same way.

Wild yam has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of wild yam may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Wild yam may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take wild yam?

Before taking wild yam, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Wild yam may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take wild yam without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether wild yam will harm an unborn baby. Do not take wild yam without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether wild yam will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of wild yam by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.