Common names  |  Wild yam, Colic root, Rheumatism root, Rattlebox 

Scientific name  |  Dioscorea villosa
Used part  |  Root

Known active compounds  |  diosgenin, dioscin, protodioscin, parrisaponin 

Potential benefits in cosmetics  |  anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial 

Product name  |  Wild Yam-ANB

 

Plant Story

Dioscorea villosa, commonly known as wild yam, colic root, North American wild yam, rattlebox, or rheumatism root, is a perennial climbing vine native to eastern North America. Unlike other yams, wild yam has non-edible, fibrous, and knotted rhizomes that are mainly used medicinally. Native Americans used the decoction of root to relieve the pains of childbirth and menstrual cramps. It was also traditionally used to treat inflammation, muscle spasms, asthma, and rheumatism.

 

D. villosa contains steroidal saponins as its major constituents, which include diosgenin, protodioscin, methyl protodioscin, parrisaponin, and dioscin. Diosgenin is a commercially important bioactive sapogenin, which is an aglycone form of dioscin. Both compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Studies demonstrated that the ethanolic extract of D. villosa has anti-oxidant activities by scavenging free radicals, and anti-microbial activities against Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholera, Klebsiella pneumonia, Psuedomonas aerugenosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.