Yam plant

Perennial climbing plant from the yam family (Dioscoreaceae), native to the tropics, which grows up to 3 m high. There are up to 800 species of yam plant. It flowers from September to October. The up to 2 m long rhizomes, sweet-tasting roots, are used as a phytopharmaceutical, see Rhizoma Dioscoreae villosae . Due to the plant hormones (phytohormones) it contains, the yam is used phytotherapeutically to alleviate menopausal and menstrual complaints and is a popular food in South America, Africa and the Caribbean, similar to potatoes or bread in our culture.

Animal studies showed a reduction in blood glucose levels due to increased secretion of glucagon -like peptide (GLP-1), which in turn led to insulin secretion. 

In vitro studies suggest immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. 

Diosgenin, which is similar to the human hormone progesterone. Polysaccharides, gracillin (saponin).

1. https://heilkraeuter.de/lexikon/yams.htm
2. Krüger, D. (2026) The Chinese yam, Dioscorea … Z Phytother; 47: 239–244