Synopsis

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

Dioscorea, commonly known as wild yam, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Chinese and Native American practices. For indigestion and gastrointestinal complaints, Dioscorea species—especially Dioscorea opposita (Chinese yam)—have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to "nourish the spleen and stomach" and aid digestion. These uses are largely based on anecdotal evidence and longstanding tradition rather than robust clinical studies.

Phytochemical analysis shows that Dioscorea contains compounds such as diosgenin, starches, and mucilage, which may have mild soothing effects on the digestive tract. However, there is limited scientific research directly evaluating its efficacy for indigestion in humans. A few animal studies suggest potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but these findings are not specific to indigestion.

Overall, the use of Dioscorea for indigestion is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, with little modern clinical validation. The traditional rating of 2 reflects that, while there is a long-standing history of use, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for this purpose is minimal.

More about dioscorea
More about Indigestion

Other ingredients used for Indigestion

Other health conditions supported by dioscorea

Products containing dioscorea

Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine KB-C TCM Concentrate
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM