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Wild Yam
( Dioscorea villosa and D. batata
)
PART USED
Root.
PROPERTIES
Tonic - liver and
reproductive tissue; nervine - anti spasmodic; diaphoretic, duretic,
expectorant.
ENERGY:
Warming. Reduces excess
Fire and Water; calms irritated Air; strengthens vital fluids.
The Mexican and Central American
wild yam provides the source material from which the birth-control pill,
cortisones and sex hormones are derived. Yams are high in plant hormones
which can be synthesized by the body to support its own hormone health.
Thus, wild yam root is an important constituent of hormone-regulating,
herbal formulas. In addition it is antispasmodic, diuretic and liver
cleansing. it can be used to relieve skin problems like eczema as well as
muscular and menstrual cramps and the symptoms of congestion which precede
the period. It is a sweet, nutritive tonic food treatment for weakness and
wasting.
Yam is also good for digestive
problems as it relieves wind and stagnation of the liver and gall bladder.
As an antispasmodic, it can also be used for neuralgic pain. |
