[Roy Collins]

Bruce. According to my sources, YAM is the common name applied to perennial herbs in the monocot genus Dioscorea. The genus, which contains approximately 200 species, is native to tropical regions throughout the world. It is cultivated for its edible tubers, which grow up to 8 ft long and 100 lbs in size.

Jinenjo is one type of YAM but is not the “true yam” as you stated. It is also NOT the original source of diosgenin as you stated. The original source is the Wild Yam, (Dioscorea villosa). Wild yam is also a good antispasmodic for digestive and reproductive system, especially helpful for irritable bowel syndrome or for menstrual pain.

According to English herbalist Penelope Ody (who also is a student of TCM): “The wild yam was the original starting point for making the first oral contraceptives – thanks to the hormonal compound, diosgenin, it contains.”

In peace, Roy