Synopsis

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

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) has been traditionally used in herbal medicine for various women’s health issues, including menstrual irregularities such as amenorrhea (absence of menstruation). Historical use stems from the belief that wild yam contains compounds that can support female reproductive health. The root contains diosgenin, a plant steroid that can be chemically converted into progesterone in the laboratory. This led to the misconception that wild yam itself could act as a “natural progesterone” in the body. However, the human body cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone; this conversion only occurs in industrial settings.

Despite its traditional use, there is little to no clinical evidence supporting wild yam’s efficacy for treating amenorrhea. Most of the claims regarding its benefits are anecdotal or based on extrapolation from its laboratory role in hormone synthesis. Modern herbalists may still use wild yam as part of multi-herb protocols for menstrual issues, but high-quality randomized controlled trials are lacking. The traditional use likely persists due to its historical reputation and its inclusion in women’s tonics, rather than clear scientific validation. Overall, wild yam’s use for amenorrhea is primarily justified by tradition, with minimal supporting evidence from scientific research.

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