Evidence supporting the use of: Mexican Yam
For the body system: Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Mexican Yam (Dioscorea villosa), commonly known as wild yam, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for women’s reproductive health. Traditionally, it has been used by various cultures to address menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms, and other gynecological concerns. The root contains diosgenin, a compound that can be chemically converted in laboratories into progesterone and other steroids. However, the body cannot convert diosgenin into human hormones naturally; this transformation only occurs in industrial settings. Thus, the belief that consuming wild yam directly balances hormones is not supported by modern science.
Despite its widespread traditional use, scientific evidence supporting Mexican Yam’s effectiveness for reproductive health is limited and inconsistent. Some small-scale studies and anecdotal reports suggest mild relief of menopausal symptoms, but well-designed clinical trials are lacking, and systematic reviews have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend wild yam for menopausal or other reproductive health issues. In summary, while Mexican Yam is traditionally used for supporting the reproductive system, robust scientific validation is lacking, resulting in a low evidence rating.
Other ingredients that support Reproductive System
acetyl l-carnitineamino acids
ashwagandha
beta-sitosterol
black cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
broccoli
calcium
chaste tree
Chinese salvia root
choline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
fenugreek
fish protein
flaxseed
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
ginger
ginseng
gokhru
hops
inositol
iodine
iron
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-arginine
l-carnitine
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus jensenii
licorice root
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
maca
magnesium
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
muira puama
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
pomegranate
protein
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
rehmannia glutinosa
saffron
saw palmetto
selenium
selenium
soybean
spearmint leaf
tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
red clover
suma
squawvine
mugwort
nut grass
anise
punarnava
smilax
chaff flower
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
eucommia
ganoderma
lotus seed
morinda
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
guelder rose
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
barrenwort
shepherd's purse
wood betony
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
yohimbe
11-Ketotestosterone
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
8-Prenylnaringenin
Antler
Arachidonic Acid
Achyranthes
Anamu
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Ant
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Blue Cohosh
Babchi
Baliospermum
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bugbane
Bulbine natalensis
Black Gram
Banyan
Ba Ji Tian
Barbasco
Bee products
Borassus aethiopum
banana
Boerhavia diffusa
Calochortus
Curculigo orchicides
Cohosh
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cucurbita
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Cyathula
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Casticin
Campylandra fimbriata
Catuaba
Costus
Carthamus
Canscora
DHEA
Daidzein
Deer Velvet
Dong Quai
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Date
Eurycomanone
Egg
Euryale seed
Elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Embelia
Estrogen
Folic Acid
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fo-Ti
Furostanols
formononetin
Fish
Fatty acids
False Unicorn Root
Fadogia agrestis
Ginsenosides
Guava
Giant Trillium
Isoflavones
Lotus
Orchid
Tribulus Terrestris
yohimbine
Other body systems supported by Mexican Yam
BloodEstrogen
Female Reproductive System
Glandular System
Ovaries
Progesterone
Reproductive System
Uterus
