Evidence supporting the use of: Dioscorea
For the health condition: Fibroids (uterine)

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Synopsis

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

Dioscorea, commonly referred to as wild yam, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly for women's reproductive health issues such as menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. Its use for uterine fibroids is primarily rooted in traditional practices, especially within Western herbalism and some indigenous systems. Historically, dioscorea has been suggested as a remedy for "female complaints" due to its content of diosgenin, a plant steroid that can be chemically converted into progesterone in the laboratory. However, the body does not convert diosgenin into hormones, and thus this traditional rationale lacks physiological basis.

There is minimal scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of dioscorea in the treatment or management of uterine fibroids. No robust clinical trials demonstrate a direct benefit in reducing fibroid size, symptoms, or progression. Most available research has focused on diosgenin’s theoretical hormonal effects, but these do not translate into clinical outcomes for fibroids in humans. The traditional use persists largely due to anecdotal reports and historical beliefs about its hormone-balancing properties. Therefore, while dioscorea is used traditionally for reproductive health, its specific application for fibroids is based more on historical use than on scientific validation.

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