Diosgenin is a steroidal saponin, which is extracted from the root of Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) and other species. Dioscorea is a genus of flowering plants, and some Dioscorea species are known and used as a source for the steroidal sapogenin diosgenin. Pharmazie. 2004. A new steroidal saponin, dioscoreside E (1), and a known compound, protodioscin (2), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activity against a panel of tumor cell lines. They will reduce tension in the body, and, as many of the anti-spasmodics are also nervines, they will sometimes ease psychological tension as well. Many of the herbal remedies that are described as nervines, sedatives or hypnotics also act as anti-spasmodics. The term is synonymous with spasmolytic.  Herbal Medicine for Endometriosis Herbs seem to promote tissue healing through a blend of effects. In addition to using phytoestrogens and other hormone-balancing plants, therapy aims to augment circulation to and from the areas of damage. Nutritive herbs provide building materials for the cells. Particular hepatic herbs may be chosen if a woman needs to eliminate toxins. There are nearly 150 varieties of Dioscorea many of them developing edible tubers like potatoes. An ornamental variety is D. batatas, sometimes known as the Chinese yam, the red velvet yam, or the cinnamon yam. In using D. villosa, do not confuse oriental tonic wild yams. Warning. Fresh plant may induce vomiting and other undesirable side effects. In using, do not confuse oriental tonic wild yams. Care should be taken when using this herb if there is an excess of mucous or congestion in the body. Reproduction: Dioscorea bulbifera can propagate through both sexual and asexual means, In Florida, flowering is rare and sexual reproduction is therefore only a minor contributor to propagation of the species. Dioscorea species are dioecious, with male and female flowers occurring in separate plants. Salinity: Air potato is not salt tolerant and is an unsuccessful invader of marine and estuarine shorelines (Morisawa 1999). Associated Species: Dioscorea bulbifera occurs in a variety of natural and disturbed habitats. Wild yam is available as liquid extract and as a powder. The powdered form may be purchased in capsules or compressed tablets. The fluid extract can be made into tea. Creams containing wild yam are also available. Warning. Fresh plant may induce vomiting and other undesirable side effects. In using, do not confuse oriental tonic wild yams. Care should be taken when using this herb if there is an excess of mucous or congestion in the body. To study the effect of yam in Taiwan, which is a commonly used Chinese medicine, on hepato-nephro-toxicity in rats. Crude water extract of yam (Dioscorea alata), was used to treat rats with an acute toxicity induced by acetaminophen (APAP) challenge. Pharmazie. 2004. A new steroidal saponin, dioscoreside E (1), and a known compound, protodioscin (2), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activity against a panel of tumor cell lines. The plant has also long been used as a folk medicine including use as an analgesic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and a rejuvenative tonic. The steroid diosgenin, an active component of birth control pills, is extracted from the plant as is the anti-fungal compound dihydrorodioscorine (Fox undated). VII. Salinity: Air potato is not salt tolerant and is an unsuccessful invader of marine and estuarine shorelines (Morisawa 1999). Associated Species: Dioscorea bulbifera occurs in a variety of natural and disturbed habitats. Wild yam is a perennial vine; the long, slender, knotted, contorted, woody, tuberous rootstock is crooked and laterally branched and twining stems. Broadly ovate and cordate, the heart-shaped, leaves are from 2-6 inches long and about three-fourths as wide, glabrous on top, and finely fairy underneath on long stems. Warning. Fresh plant may induce vomiting and other undesirable side effects. In using, do not confuse oriental tonic wild yams. Care should be taken when using this herb if there is an excess of mucous or congestion in the body. Dioscoreae Rhizoma (MDR), the root of Dioscorea tokoro MAKINO, has been used for the treatment of arthritis, muscular pain and urinary diseases in oriental medicine. The present work evaluates a methanol extract of Dioscoreae Rhizoma. Pharmazie. 2004. A new steroidal saponin, dioscoreside E (1), and a known compound, protodioscin (2), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activity against a panel of tumor cell lines.
http://www.raysahelian.com/dioscorea.html http://www.healthy.net/Health/Article/Anti_Spasmodic/1794 http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/endometriosis/endo_herbal.htm http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/WildYam.html http://www.sms.si.edu/irLspec/Dioscorea_bulbifera.htm http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/WildYam.html http://www.raysahelian.com/dioscorea.html http://www.sms.si.edu/irLspec/Dioscorea_bulbifera.htm http://medicinalherbinfo.org/herbs/WildYam.html http://www.raysahelian.com/dioscorea.html
what is dioscorea villosa analgesic