yam
Dioscorea floribunda
Dioscorea floribunda is a plant traditionally unrecorded in any specific medical or folk practices. Scientific studies have identified elemol as a significant component of its leaves, comprising 41% of the essential oil. In vitro and in vivo testing revealed that compound 10 derived from this plant exhibited notable antiproliferative and moderate anti-inflammatory properties. However, the plant did not show significant effects on methane production or protozoa population in similar tests among other medicinal plants evaluated. The regeneration of Dioscorea floribunda plants from cryopreserved shoot tips requires optimization of plant growth regulators during recovery culture. No major safety concerns have been recorded for this plant, and there are no reported drug interactions associated with its use.
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
What the science says
- Compound 10 showed significant antiproliferative and moderate anti-inflammatory activity against breast cancer cells and inflammation.
- Dioscorea floribunda leaves contain multicellular oil glands and produce essential oil with elemol as a major constituent.
- The study found that among 21 medicinal and aromatic plant leaves tested, Dioscorea floribunda did not show significant effects on methane production or protozoa population in vitro.
- The study found that optimizing post-thaw culture media with specific plant growth regulators enabled the regeneration of Dioscorea floribunda plants from cryopreserved shoot tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is yam?
yam (Dioscorea floribunda) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What does the scientific evidence say about yam?
4 sourced findings are recorded for yam; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: Compound 10 showed significant antiproliferative and moderate anti-inflammatory activity against breast cancer cells and inflammation.
How strong is the evidence for yam?
The strongest finding for yam carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is yam safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for yam in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does yam interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for yam in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
Is yam a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T2 Regeneration of Dioscorea floribunda plants from cryopreserved encapsulated shoot tips: effect of plant growth regulators. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Effect of medicinal and aromatic plants on rumen fermentation, protozoa population and methanogenesis in vitro. literature abstract metadata
- T2 A new source of elemol rich essential oil and existence of multicellular oil glands in leaves of the Dioscorea species. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Bivalent furostene carbamates as antiproliferative and antiinflammatory agents. literature abstract metadata