Relieve menstrual cramps the
herbal way with Wild Yam
The Aztecs and the Maya first used wild yam for its pain relieving
properties. Centuries later, European settlers used wild yam
to
treat joint pain and muscle cramps.
It is only the roots of this herbal plant that contain any medicinal
value and once dried, it is used to make an herbal tea.
The roots of the wild yam contain a substance called diosgenin, a
phyto-estrogen, and in the 1950's scientists discovered that this
substance can be chemically converted into the hormone progesterone.
The first birth control pills were manufactured in the 1960's
and
contained diosgenin.
Most of the claims that wild yam can relieve PMS and menopausal
symptoms are yet to be scientifically proven. Although this
herbal medicine contains diosgenin, this substance cannot be converted
into progesterone by your body, it can only be done in a laboratory.
Some holistic health care practitioners claim that their
patients
found relief when using a cream that contain wild yam herbal extracts.
These creams have to be applied to the belly and thighs, but
how
the cream works, is not clear.
Be very careful when purchasing creams and lotions that claim to
contain a natural progesterone such as wild yam. The
molecules
and particles in wild yam are too big to be absorbed through your skin,
and as mentioned, your body cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone
on its own.
Wild yam does however have other herbal benefits. In tea,
tincture or capsule form, wild yam acts as a muscle relaxant and an
anti-inflammatory. Some health care practitioners prescribe
wild
yam in capsule form to relieve joint and muscle pain. If you
are
looking to use wild yam as an herbal medicine to relieve menstrual
cramps, combining it with herbs such as chasteberry is your best option.
Substances called alkaloids are also found in wild yam. Alkaloids
are muscle relaxants that specifically work on the muscles in your
abdomen and pelvis. People who suffer from Crohn's disease,
irritable bowel syndrome and other painful digestive disorders report
that they find relief after drinking wild yam herbal tea.
What are the side effects of
Wild Yam?
Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal
medications should you be under their care.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage as it can cause diarrhoea and
nausea.
Pregnant and lactating women should not use wild yam herbal supplements.
Do not use wild yam if you are on a birth control pill or using hormone
replacement therapy, as wild yam can negatively interact with the
hormones found in these prescription medicines.
How do I take Wild Yam?
Wild yam herbal medicines are available in capsule, tea or tincture
form. Take half a teaspoon of tincture three times a day, or
500
mg of wild yam in a capsule form. You can drink a cup of wild
yam
herbal tea three times a day to relieve cramps and muscle aches.
To make the tea, use a cup of boiling water with two teaspoons of dried
wild yam root and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Combining
wild
yam with other herbal teas such as peppermint tea will increase the
benefits when using it for digestive disorders.
Wild yam herbal supplements should be taken with food to minimize the
risk of nausea and stomach upsets.
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