Dioscorea villosa

Dioscorea villosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
Order:	Dioscoreales
Family:	Dioscoreaceae
Genus:	Dioscorea
Species:	D. villosa
Binomial name
Dioscorea villosa L.
Synonyms
Merione villosa (L.) Salisb. Dioscorea sativa L. Dioscorea quaternata Walter Dioscorea quinata Walter Dioscorea cliffortiana Lam. Dioscorea paniculata Michx. Dioscorea waltheri Desf. Dioscorea glauca Muhl. ex L.C.Beck Dioscorea hexaphylla Raf. Dioscorea longifolia Raf. Dioscorea megaptera Raf. Dioscorea repanda Raf. Dioscorea pruinosa Kunth Dioscorea hirticaulis Bartlett Dioscorea lloydiana E.H.L.Krause

Dioscorea villosa is a species of a twining tuberous vine that is native to eastern North America. It is common and widespread in a range stretching from Texas and Florida north to Minnesota, Ontario and Massachusetts.

Creams and dietary supplements made from Dioscorea villosa are claimed to contain human hormones and promoted as a medicine for a variety of purposes, including cancer prevention and the treatment of Crohn's disease and whooping cough. However, according to the American Cancer Society, the claims are false and there is no evidence to support these substances being either safe or effective.

See also

• List of ineffective cancer treatments

Further reading

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/970.html
• Eagon PK, Elm MS, Hunter DS, et al. Medicinal herbs: modulation of estrogen action. Era of Hope Mtg, Dept Defense; Breast Cancer Res Prog, Atlanta, GA 2000;Jun 8-11.

External links

• PLANTS profile