Genus: Dioscorea
Common name: Wild yam. Colic Root. Devil’s Bones. Dioscorea villosa.
Family: Dioscoreaceae (Yam)
It may come as a surprise, but the common side dish that often accompanies a traditional American Thanksgiving meal is most likely a sweet potato and not a yam. Although these names are used interchangeably, there is a difference. Sweet potatoes are tuberous root vegetables that belong to the morning glory family. The most common type has smooth, orange skin and flesh, although some varieties are yellow, cream colored, purple, or black. A yam is a tropical climbing vine with heart shaped leaves, root and aerial tubers. The wild yam is a food staple in many parts of Asia, Africa, and tropical America. The bark-like skin is brown and tubers can grow over seven feet long and weigh up to 150 lbs! The flesh is sweeter, drier, and starchier than a sweet potato. The roots of the wild yam have traditionally been used to relieve menstrual and labor pains, as well as types of colic.
As a homeopathic remedy, Dioscorea is useful for severe colicky pain of babies, gallstone colic, nerve pain, and low back, abdominal, or pelvic pain. The primary indication for its use is that the pain is better by arching the back and bending backwards. This is the reverse of Colocynthis pain which is better by pressure or bending double.
Keynotes:
- Sharp, twisting, darting, radiating, cutting, cramping, colicky pains that are better by bending backwards, stretching out, or being erect
- Gallstone colic with radiating pains
- Dysmenorrhea with pains that shoot in different directions
- Sciatic nerve pain shooting down into thighs
- Colic of infants who arch the back or want to be held upright
- Acute diarrhea
- Feeble digestive powers with flatulence
- Pain better from eructations
Information contained on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be used to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. Any information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by a physician. If you desire or need such advice, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.