Evidence supporting the use of: Wild yam
For the health condition: Cramps (menstrual)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for supporting menstrual health and relieving menstrual cramps. Its use dates back to Native American and early European herbalists, who employed wild yam root preparations for various "female complaints," including dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation). The main rationale behind its use is the presence of diosgenin, a compound in wild yam that can be chemically converted into steroidal hormones like progesterone in the laboratory, although this conversion does not occur in the human body when consumed as a supplement or food. Traditional herbalists believed wild yam to have antispasmodic properties, which could help relax smooth muscle tissue and thereby ease uterine cramps during menstruation. Despite its popularity in folk medicine, there is limited scientific research to directly support the effectiveness of wild yam for menstrual cramps. Rigorous clinical trials are lacking, and existing studies have not demonstrated a clear benefit. Most available evidence remains anecdotal or based on traditional use rather than modern pharmacological data. Therefore, while wild yam is commonly recommended by herbalists and found in natural health products targeting menstrual discomfort, its efficacy is not strongly supported by scientific validation.

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