Herbal Remedies 'Y'

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Yam, wild dioscorea villosa.
Common Name: Dioscorea, colic root, rheumatism root, wilde yamwurzel.
Occurrence: native to the southern United States and Canada.
Parts Used: the roots and rhizome, which contain steroidal saponins, phytosterols, tannins, starch and various alkaloids including dioscorine.
Medicinal Uses: antispasmodic, diuretic. This plant has a history of traditional use in relieving menstrual cramps and in stopping threatened miscarriage. It brings quick relief for bilious colic and flatulence, particularly in pregnant women. It is prescribed for the inflammatory stage of rheumatoid arthritis and in painful disorders of the urinary tract. Wild Yam is also beneficial for poor circulation, spasmodic hiccoughs, neuralgic complaints and spasmodic asthma. Prior to 1970, the wild yam was the only source of diosgenin, one of the starting materials used in commercial manufacturing of steroid hormones for the contraceptive pill.
Administered As: fluid extract, powdered bark, infusion

Yerba santa Eriodictyon glutinosum.
Common Name: Mountain balm, gum bush, bear's weed, holy or sacred herb, consumptive's weed, Eriodictyon californicum.
Occurrence: native to California and northern Mexico.
Parts Used: the dried leaves which contain five phenolic chemicals, free acids including free formic acids, volatile oil, phytosterol, glucose, a resin and some glycerides of fatty acids.
Medicinal Uses: bitter tonic, stimulant, expectorant, aromatic. This herb is recommended in laryngeal and bronchial problems, catarrh, hay fever, asthma and chronic lung afflictions. It is also used for catarrh of the bladder and haemorrhoids. Yerba santa is used as a bitter tonic upon the digestion and is highly effective in masking the unpleasant taste of quinine, when given as an aromatic syrup. The dried leaves are smoked to ease asthma.
Administered As: powdered leaves, fluid extract, syrup.

Yew Taxus baccata.
Occurrence: found in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. The tree has been closely associated with the history and legends of Europe.
Parts Used: the leaves, seeds and fruit. The seeds and fruit are the most poisonous parts of the plant and contain an alkaloid toxine and another principle milrossin.
Medicinal Uses: it has few medicinal uses due to its poisonous nature but the leaves were once used effectively in treating epilepsy. The wood was used for making longbows.
Administered As: powdered leaves.