Evidence supporting the use of: Wild yam
For the health condition: Breasts (enhance size)
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 folk herbal practices. It has been promoted in some cultures and modern alternative health circles as a natural remedy for women’s reproductive health, including claims that it can enhance breast size. The rationale is largely based on the belief that wild yam contains diosgenin, a phytoestrogen-like compound that can be chemically converted into steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone in the laboratory. However, the human body cannot perform this conversion; it is only possible in industrial settings. Despite this, wild yam creams and supplements are widely marketed for breast enhancement, often citing traditional use and supposed estrogenic effects. There is no reliable scientific evidence that supports its effectiveness for increasing breast size, and clinical studies are lacking. The traditional use is less about breast enlargement specifically and more about general women’s health (e.g., menstrual or menopausal support). Thus, while wild yam is sometimes used traditionally in this context, the evidence for its specific effect on breast size is minimal, and most claims are based on anecdote or marketing rather than historical or scientific validation.
Other health conditions supported by wild yam
AmenorrheaArthritis
Backache
Breasts (enhance size)
Breasts (swelling and tenderness)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Dysmenorrhea
Endometriosis
Estrogen (low)
Fibroids (uterine)
Hot Flashes
Infertility
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Progesterone (low)
Vaginal Dryness
Products containing wild yam
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas Formula (With Lobelia)
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine CLT-X
Nature's Sunshine Cramp Relief
Nature's Sunshine DHEA-F
Nature's Sunshine Gall Bladder Formula
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System
Nature's Sunshine Wild Yam
Nature's Sunshine Wild Yam & Chaste Tree