Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.

Family : Dioscoreaceae

Synonym(s) : Dioscorea crispata Roxb., Dioscorea pulchella Roxb., Dioscorea sativa Thunb. non Linn., Dioscorea versicolor Buch.Ham. ex Wall.

English Name : Dog Yam


Origin : Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan and China.

Description

Twining climber, glabrous. Roots tuberous. Leaves 5 to 12 cm long, acute, acuminate, base deeply cordate, alternate; petiole as long as blade. Male spikes 8 to 35 cm long, solitary, rarely in pairs, slender; flowers small, in clusters; perianth segments sroadly oblong, stamens 6. Female spikes 8 to 16 cm long, soliatry, broader than leaf; flowers few. Capsule 1.5 to 2.5 x 2.5 to 5 cm.


Habitat

Forests of tropical India


Parts Used : Rhizome, tuber and aerial Part


Herb Effects

Diuretic (50% EtOH aerial part extract).

Active Ingredients

Diosbulbins A-D, D-sorbitol, diosgenin, zeaxanthin and auroxanthin (rhizome); from 50% EtOH aerial part extract.

Medicinal Use

Syphilis, hemorrhoids,ulcers and dysentery (tuber); as contraceptives and in the treatment of various disorders of the genitary organs as well as in a host of other diseases such as asthma and arthritis.

Dosage

Decoction or a fluidextract: one-half to one drachm.
Powdered tuber: 6–12 g


Contraindication

Glucoside in the plant is poisonous; creates excess mucus and congestion.

Reference