Dioscorea. Dioscorea villosa.

Synonym—Wild Yam.

CONSTITUENTS—

Saponin.

PREPARATIONS—

Dioscorein. Dose, from one to four grains.

Specific Medicine Dioscorea. Dose, from one to forty minims.

GI Sedatives—Antispasmodic and anodyne.

Specific Symptomatology—In sudden spasmodic griping pain in the stomach and bowels it acts similarly to colocynth, but is more certain in the severer cases, especially if from malarial causes. It is specific in bilious colic—in the pain of the passing of gall stones, in mild cases, and is valuable in spasmodic colic of any kind. Spasmodic pain yields to it readily, but it is much more certain in pain and muscular spasm of the intestines. Its action produces either immediate or negative results. If, therefore, there is no benefit after one or two hours' use it may be discontinued.

Therapy—In the spasmodic pain of cholera morbus or cholera infantum, of diarrhea or dysentery it is useful.

In neuralgic dysmenorrhea, in ovarian neuralgia, in cramp-like pains in the uterus at any time and in severe after pains it often acts satisfactorily, quickly relieving the muscular spasm. Fifteen drops of the tincture of the specific dioscorea in half a teacupful of hot water should be drunk at a single dose, as in acute cases it is much more certain if given in this manner. Five drops every hour or two can be given with good results in constantly recurring mild colicky pains without apparent cause. When given for after pains it is usually best to give the tincture in ten drop doses in cold water every half hour or hour, as the hot infusion may cause too great relaxation of the uterine muscular structure, and permit severe hemorrhage.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.