Dioscorea villosa is a species of a twining tuberous vine that is native to eastern North America. It is common and widespread in a range stretching from Texas and Florida north to Minnesota, Ontario and Massachusetts. It is currently on the United Plant Savers "At Risk" list. UpS is an organization concerned with the preservation of endangered medicinal plants on the territory of North America.[1]

Dioscorea villosa has been found by scientists to contain diosgenin, a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens - the plant hormones - have been shown to interact with hormone receptors in human bodies.[2][3] Wild Yam and its extract has been promoted as a medicine for a variety of purposes, including cancer prevention and the treatment of Crohn's disease and whooping cough. It can be found in creams and other natural supplements.

According to the American Cancer Society, the claims are false and there is no evidence to support these substances being either safe or effective.

In traditional Russian herbal medicine, saponin extracts from the roots of various varieties of wild yam are used as an anticoagulant, antisclerotic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic and a vasodilator.