Overview

Bitter yam (Dioscorea dumetorum) is a plant that grows in Africa. Wild forms of the yam can be toxic. Forms grown by farmers generally do not contain toxins.

Bitter yam contains chemicals that might lower blood sugar levels. Wild forms of bitter yam must be soaked and boiled before use to remove the toxins.

People use bitter yam for diabetes and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse bitter yam with wild yam (Dioscorea villosa). These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for BITTER YAM overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Wild, uncooked bitter yam is possibly unsafe. It contains chemicals that can be poisonous and cause seizures. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other forms of bitter yam that are raised by farmers are safe to use as medicine.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Wild, uncooked bitter yam is possibly unsafe. It contains chemicals that can be poisonous and cause seizures. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other forms of bitter yam that are raised by farmers are safe to use as medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bitter yam is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with BITTER YAM

    Bitter yam may contain chemicals similar to the prescription drug digoxin. Taking bitter yam along with digoxin might increase the risk of side effects.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of bitter yam might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.