Rhizoma dioscoreae villosae

Dried rhizome without roots of the yam plant, see yam root.

Polysaccharides, flavonoids, anthocyanins, allantoin, saponins such as dioscin (see diosgenin), the resinous compound disocorein, and about 80% starch.

Traditional Medicine: Signs of aging (as an anti-aging treatment), asthma, depression, biliary colic, hormonal imbalances, spasmodic hiccups,
menstrual cramps, nervousness, osteoporosis, premenstrual syndrome, irritable stomach, rheumatism, breast tenderness, obesity (due to hormonal imbalances), menopausal symptoms.

Animal studies have shown a reduction in blood sugar levels due to increased secretion of glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), resulting in insulin secretion. 

In vitro studies indicate immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. 

1. Burger A et al. (1993) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary, 7th ed., Walter de Gruyter, Berlin-New York, pp. S432–433
2. https://heilkraeuter.de/lexikon/yams.htm
3. Salehi B et al. (2019) Dioscorea Plants: A Genus Rich in Vital Nutraceuticals—A Review. Iran J Pharm Res. 18(Suppl. 1): 68–89. doi: 10.22037/ijpr.2019.112501.13795. PMID: 32802090; PMCID: PMC7393038.
4. Krüger D (2026) The Chinese Yam, Dioscorea … Z Phytother; 47: 239–244. DOI: 10.1055/a-2846-6446