It has also been used to relieve the after pains of childbirth. Wild yam has been used by some as a natural contraceptive. When taken over a long period, it causes a temporary sterility that ends when the women discontinues wild yam supplements. Caution should be used when using wild yam as a contraceptive because it may not be effective in preventing pregnancy. Historically, wild yam was used to help reduce inflammation.
Scientific studies show that diosgenin found in wild yam has an anti-inflammatory effect in animals.
In humans, this winding vine has proven very helpful in calming the inflammed joints that accompany rheumatism. It also relieves abdominal pain by soothing the inflammed tissues of the stomach and intestines. Wild yam has been used to stop diarrhea and to clear out the gas and obstructions associated with colic. Wild yam may also prevent spasmodic asthma. With the use of wild yam in commercial products, there have been many recent scientific studies of the plant and its medicinal values.