Evidence supporting the use of: Wild yam
For the body system: Estrogen

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Native American and early Western herbalism, to support women's health issues such as menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. The root contains diosgenin, a plant compound that can be chemically converted into progesterone and other steroids in a laboratory setting. However, the human body does not naturally convert diosgenin into estrogen or progesterone. Despite this, wild yam has been popularly used in herbal remedies and natural creams marketed for "balancing hormones" or supporting the estrogen system, largely based on historical use and the presence of diosgenin. Scientific studies, however, do not support the effectiveness of wild yam for increasing estrogen levels or treating menopausal symptoms. Clinical trials have found no significant estrogenic activity from wild yam or its extracts when consumed or applied topically. The belief in its benefits persists primarily due to traditional practices and anecdotal reports rather than solid scientific validation. Therefore, while wild yam is traditionally used for women's health, the evidence for its support of the estrogen system is weak, and its use for this purpose is not scientifically justified.

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