Wild yam is a climbing vine that is native to Central and North America and some parts of Asia. Although the heart-shaped leaves have a vanilla scent, it is the bitter root that is targeted for harvest. In contrast to other yams, however, wild yam has a non-edible, fibrous and knotted rhizome that is dried instead.
Native Americans boiled wild yam root to produce a tonic to counter various inflammatory complaints, including indigestion and abdominal cramping. They also applied the liquid to painful, swollen joints. The effects of wild yam root, also known as colic root and rheumatism root, are largely due to steroidal saponins.
