Wild yam is a vine that grows in North America, Europe, and Asia. The plant’s root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.
Wild yam has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating colic in infants, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach upset, and menstrual cramps.
Benefits Of Wild Yam
Although scientific evidence on these claims is either lacking or substantially disproves them, wild yam root is supposed to help treat a variety of ailments.
Hormone Imbalance And Production
Diosgenin is found in the wild yam root. It’s a plant steroid that scientists can use to make hormones like progesterone, estrogen, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which are subsequently used in medicine.
As a result, some proponents claim that wild yam root provides benefits similar to those provided by these steroid hormones in your body, making it a natural alternative to estrogen therapy or progesterone creams.
Menopause
The most prevalent use of wild yam root cream in alternative medicine is to treat menopause symptoms including night sweats and hot flashes as an alternative to estrogen replacement treatment. However, there is little data to support its efficacy.
Arthritis
The root of the wild yam may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Skin Health
Anti-aging skin products frequently contain wild yam roots. The anti-aging compound diosgenin found in wild yam may promote the creation of new skin cells.
Muscular Pain And Cramps
Others believe that wild yam possesses anti-spasmodic effects, which are chemicals that lessen muscle spasms. Because of its antispasmodic properties, wild yam may be beneficial for relieving cramps and muscular pain associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), for example. More research, however, is required to back this up.
Other benefits:
- Potential anti-cancer effects
- Lowered blood sugar levels.
- Reduced cholesterol levels.
Special Precautions & Warnings
Pregnancy And Breast-Feeding
There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking wild yams if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Diabetes
Wild yam might decrease blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use wild yam.
Gallbladder Problems
Wild yam might increase bile flow and gallbladder contractions. There is a concern that this might make gallbladder problems worse. If you have gallbladder disease, use wild yam with caution.
Surgery
Blood sugar levels may be affected by wild yam. It may mess with blood sugar regulation during and after surgery. Stop taking wild yam at least two weeks before your operation date.
How To Take Wild Yam
Due to its bitter flavor, wild yam is rarely consumed. It is, however, available in several different formulations, including:
- Capsule
- Cream
- Tincture
- Tea
- Tablet
- Powder