Witnessed by: Western
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), of the Dioscoreaceae family. Twining herbaceous vine from a knotted woody rhizome, with heart-shaped ribbed leaves; native range: damp thickets and woodland of eastern North America. Globally recognized as colic root, rheumatism root, China root in English. The part used is rhizome and root. Hard pale rhizome, at first almost tasteless then acrid and bitter, leaving a lingering irritation in the throat.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
WILD YAM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- wild yam
- Scientific name
- Dioscorea villosa L.
- Family
- Dioscoreaceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome and root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- cool (and moistening)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- liver · bowels · uterus · joints
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, diaphoretic, mild diuretic
Cautions
- Contraindications
- no significant contraindications at therapeutic dose; caution in pregnancy
- Toxicity
- large doses may cause nausea and vomiting from its acrid saponins
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