Botanical description
Yams is the collective name for several types of flowering discoreas (a genus of lianas), the main feature of which are tubers and powerful rhizomes.
As for the variety we are specifically describing - wild, it is common and also has root fruits, they are quite large - up to 2 meters in length and weighing up to 15 kg, they look like long elongated oval-shaped potatoes. The pulp of "potatoes" is eaten by people, it is loose and has a yellowish tint.
However, for such a developed root system, the vine has a very thin and long stem (3 meters), so it has to hold on to neighboring trees in order to rise to the light and grow.
This miracle of nature lives in areas with a humid sunny climate - the tropics and subtropics:
- Africa;
- China;
- South America.
It is also grown artificially, the main producer is Nigeria. People eat this culture, but only after special processing - drying, grinding into flour, various dishes are prepared on its basis: cakes, sauces, added to other recipes as a constituent component or after thermal exposure. Raw yams are poisonous..
Benefit for health
Yams are rich in nutrients, so it can have a positive effect on human health. He contains:
- Vitamin C;
- Vitamin B6;
- fiber;
- potassium and calcium;
- Phosphorus;
- Diosgenin.
Many dietary supplement companies include different parts of the vine and its tubers in their medicines. It is known that it contains diosgenin is a natural estrogen that can be synthesized into progesterone - one of the important hormones. Due to this, based on this plant, they began to produce drugs for women that affect the hormonal background in the body. They allow you to regulate the menstrual cycle, improve well-being during it, survive menopause and its symptoms. Contraceptive pills are also made from yams.
- Rheumatism - improves tissue elasticity;
- Kidney diseases;
- Bad blood vessels and heart pathologies - strengthens the walls, blocks the formation of atherosclerotic plaques;
- Hypertension - reduces pressure, reduces headaches;
Yams practically have no contraindications in recommended doses, but if they are not observed, problems with the gastrointestinal tract can begin - diarrhea, vomiting. And also it is worth being careful with ulcers and gastritis, cholelithiasis, hepatitis, since some substances in its composition can cause irritation and aggravate chronic pathologies; pregnant women and children under 14 years of age.
Wild yam: instructions for use
This medicinal plant can be found in pharmacies, it is available in the form:
- tinctures;
- Tablets;
- Capsule;
- cream;
- dry matter;
- dietary supplements.
- Dried root - 2 teaspoons no more than 3 times a day with water;
- Capsules with a dosage of 250 mg 2-3 times a day;
- Tincture - half a teaspoon 2 times a day;
- The cream is applied to any part of the body 1-2 times per knock.
And yet, despite the advertisements praising the forces of nature, keep your sanity, keep in mind that the hormones contained in the plant and similar compounds may not have the desired effect to the fullest. Therefore, the preparations still contain hormonal supplements synthesized in laboratories, maybe in smaller doses.
Therefore, consult with your doctor, he will tell you if this drug will help you.
The use of the plant in cooking
In addition to all of the above, the vine contains a large amount of carbohydrates and can be a nutritious product for your menu.
There are many recipes with yams:
- The tubers taste like potatoes, only a little sweeter, so you can simply boil them in the same way or fry them after cleaning them. But this must be done right before cooking, otherwise the fruits will turn blue;
- Or bake in the oven: peel, cut into halves, sprinkle with grated cheese and into the oven. Remove when ready, pierce with a knife and determine its degree “by eye”;
- Make a dessert: peel, cut into rings with a diameter of 2 cm, boil and place in a baking dish. Pour heavy cream on top, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, it is better to take brown. You need to bake the dish in the oven until a golden crust appears;
- Chips can be prepared for children: cut into long strips and bake in the oven.
Yams are used in almost all dishes where regular potatoes can be added. It is put into dumplings, mashed, canned, cut into salads.
Yams: cat food
Recently, cat food has appeared on the shelves of pet stores under the brand name Iams. But it has nothing to do with the above-named species of vines and its composition does not contain its components.
This food is a product of the American company "Eukanuba", which later changed its name to "The Iams Company" in honor of its creator Paul Yams, who organized a small factory for the production of animal feed back in the 40s.
Today the company is the leader among the producers of animal feed, in our country it gained fame after 2000 due to the fact that it became part of the already popular Procter & Gamble company.
As for the quality of the feed, it can be noted that veterinarians recommend it for use. But, like all premium foods, they do not advise giving it more than once a week, but be sure to combine it with other lighter foods.
So, in conclusion, I would like to remind you once again: everything that is written above about the medicinal properties of wild yam is related to alternative medicine, which means it is not considered medicinal recipes and full-fledged recommendations of specialists. Therefore, we recommend that you first consult a doctor if you have a serious illness and want to start treatment using dietary supplements.
Video: how to take wild yam for women?
In this video, doctor Alla Monakova will tell you how to take this plant to normalize the cycle in women:
