Active Ingredient Wild Yam (dioscorea Villosa)

it has been hypothesized that wild yam ( dioscorea villosa and other dioscorea species) possesses dehydroepiandrosterone (dhea)-like properties and acts as a precursor to human sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. based on this proposed mechanism, extracts of the plant have been used to treat painful menstruation, hot flashes, and headaches associated with menopause. however, these uses are based on a misconception that wild yam contains hormones or hormonal precursors -

Source:

medlineplus herbs and supplements: wild yam (dioscorea villosa)

Medical Condition	Uses based on scientific evidence	Grade*
hyperestrogenism	despite popular belief, no natural progestins, estrogens, or other reproductive hormones are found in wild yam. its active ingredient, diosgenin, is not converted to hormones in the human body. artificial progesterone has been added to some wild yam products. the belief that there are hormones in wild yam may be due to the historical fact that progesterone, androgens, and cortisone were chemically manufactured from mexican wild yam in the 1960s.	d
pure hypercholesterolemia	animal studies have shown that wild yam can reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. early studies in humans have shown changes in the levels of certain sub-types of cholesterol, including decreases in low-density lipoprotein (ldl, or "bad cholesterol") and triglycerides and increases in high-density lipoprotein (hdl, or "good cholesterol"). however, no changes in the total amount of blood cholesterol have been found. more studies are needed in this area.	c
symptomatic menopausal or female climacteric states	most studies have not shown a benefit from wild yam given by mouth or used as a vaginal cream in reducing menopausal symptoms. however, replacing two thirds of staple food with yam for 30 days was shown to improve the status of sex hormones, lipids, and antioxidants in a recent study in postmenopausal women. the authors suggest that these effects might reduce the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. further research is needed before a recommendation can be	c

*Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
B: Good scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
D: Fair scientific evidence against this use;
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use.