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Bitter yam

The bitter yam is a plant that grows in Africa. It has a fleshy, potato-like root that is used as food during times of famine and to make medicine. Wild forms of bitter yam are likely to contain toxins and must be soaked and boiled before use. Bitter yam cultivated by farmers generally does not contain toxins as safer plants are selectively cultivated. Bitter yam is used for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach pain, colic, menstrual problems and schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms. One should not confuse bitter yam (Dioscorea Dumetorum) with wild yam (Dioscorea Zillosa) or Dioscorea Bulbifera. All three are sometimes referred to as bitter yam.

How does bitter yam work?

Bitter yam contains chemicals that may lower blood sugar levels. However, the effects of bitter yam have not yet been studied in humans.

How effective is bitter yam?

There is not enough scientific data to assess the effectiveness of bitter yam on diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach pain, colic, menstrual problems and a disease caused by parasitic worms called schistosomiasis.

Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of bitter yam for these conditions.

Safety and side effects

Wild, uncooked bitter yam is not suitable for consumption or oral ingestion as a medicine. It contains chemicals that are toxic and can cause seizures.

There is not enough information to assess whether the forms of bitter yam grown by farmers are safe and safe for use as medicine, even though these forms are more likely to be free of toxic chemicals.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of bitter yam during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid products made from this plant.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of bitter yam depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for bitter yam. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Bevan CW, Broadbent JL, Hirst J. A convulsant alkaloid of Dioscorea dumetorum. Nature 1956;177(4516):935.
  2. Emiola LO. Multiple components of alpha-amylase in germinating tubers of a yam, Dioscorea dumetorum. J Biochem 1980;87:289-95.
  3. Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed, Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
  4. Nimenibo-Uadia R. Control of hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and hyperketonaemia by aqueous extract of Dioscorea dumetorum tuber. Trop J Pharm Res 2003;2:183-9. Available at: http://www.bioline.org.br/request?pr03009.