Evidence supporting the use of: Dioscorea
For the body system: Gall Bladder

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Synopsis

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

Dioscorea, commonly known as wild yam, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Chinese and Native American traditions. It has been used for a variety of ailments, including digestive complaints, colic, and as a general tonic for women’s health. Some traditional sources claim that Dioscorea supports the liver and gall bladder, primarily due to its purported ability to relax smooth muscle and alleviate spasms, which could theoretically help with biliary colic or gallbladder discomfort. However, there is very limited direct historical documentation specifically linking Dioscorea to gall bladder health, and even less in the way of scientific validation. Modern research has focused more on its potential hormonal effects (due to diosgenin, a steroidal saponin), rather than its impact on the gall bladder. No robust clinical trials exist to confirm any specific benefit of Dioscorea for gall bladder function or pathology. Thus, while its use for gall bladder support is based on traditional herbal practice, the quality and specificity of evidence is weak, and its role in gall bladder health remains largely anecdotal and unsupported by modern research.

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