Wild yam, Dioscorea villosa. Potent medicine growing right here in the woods...and the medicine wheel here at Medicine Woods. Wild yam has been used for millenia for hormone related issues. Not the yam one buys in the grocery store. Nope. A lovely plant with ribbed heart shaped leaves, that bring a smile each and every time I see it. Delicate. Yet strong. Yes!!! The root is hard and pretty tough, and very hard once dried. Be sure to dice it up when fresh. Leave a tad in the ground as a gift to the woods and for future growth. Strong plant medicine. Truth, most wild yam has been used for bio-identical progesterone production. The source was a very large version, Dioscorea mexicana, harvested in Mexico. Cultivated now, or found in woodland places like Medicine Woods. It is an endangered plant due to over harvesting. It is a native Smoky Mountain medicinal plant found in many hollers and woods. Many other plants have a heart shaped leaf structure....but this one is special. Growing in "whorls" round and round. Special along with her sisters black and blue cohosh, ginseng, solomen's seal, goldenseal and so many more. Ever a delight here at Medicine Woods. #medicinewoods #wildyam #smokymountains #plantmedicine #moonmaidbotanials #progesterone #medicinalplants #ginseng https://www.instagram.com/p/CQT7PNDAwR1/?utm_medium=tumblr