Wild Yam - A Wonder Food for Women

Autumn is here, it is a great time to fill your plates with root vegetables including yams and potatoes, wild yam is even better. Wild yams have been in use for thousands of years as natural progesterone for reproductive health issues for women, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms, menopausal symptoms, and natural hormone replacement therapy. They’re often mistaken for sweet potatoes. However, yams are less sweet and starchier. They have a distinct brown, bark-like exterior. The flesh can be white, yellow, purple, or pink depending on the maturity of the yam.

There are more than 600 varieties of wild yam, but only a dozen or so are considered edible. However, their tubers are valuable due to a chemical compound called diosgenin, which is a phytoestrogen that replicates the actions of human hormones. Diosgenin is a precursor to certain steroidal hormones such as progesterone -  an important hormone for boosting female reproductive health. Diosgenin also promotes neuron growth and enhances brain function. 

If wild yam is not available in your area. The yam you grow or purchase are also very nutritious. They are not only an excellent source of fiber but also high in potassium and manganese, which are important for supporting bone health, metabolism, and heart function. They also provide decent amounts of other micronutrients, such as copper and vitamin C. Copper is vital for red blood cell production and iron absorption, while vitamin C helps detoxify your liver and boost your immune system. Studies have shown that a yam-rich diet significantly reduced colon tumor growth. The antioxidants in yams may help reduce chronic inflammation in various diseases, such as colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and stomach ulcers. Using wild yam cream on the skin is also believed to be an effective anti-inflammatory remedy. 

The health benefits of wild yam include the following:

• Relieves premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms such as cramping and heavy bleeding.
• A natural hormone replacement.
• Minimizes menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, mood swings, and night sweats.
• Prevents infertility and miscarriage.
• Lowers the risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Reduces the risk of breast cancer and uterine cancer.
• Help treat gallbladder problems and diverticulosis.
• Regulates blood sugar and helps stabilize the mood.
• Prevents vomiting during pregnancy and eases painful labor. 
• Improves digestion and helps regulate cholesterol levels.  

There are many ways that you can enjoy this nutritious healing food, such as yam fries, yam chips, yam salads, yam soups, or baked yam with other ingredients. Here are a few examples:

Mashed yam – Vegan sausage with peas and mashed yam is delicious.

Yam roasties – A mixture of yam and sweet potato roasties adds a more interesting flavor.

Yam wedges – chunky yam wedges are delicious with hummus dip.

Yam curry – Chunks of yam and chickpeas make a delicious sweet curry.

Sweet potato soup – Yam chunks with carrots and butternut squash and warming spices such as cinnamon and ginger in a vegetable soup create a healthy soup in cold seasons.  

You can bake, roast, and steam them and fully enjoy this amazing food from Mother Nature. I hope you enjoy the information, for more information on holistic health and nutrition, please visit https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.