Evidence supporting the use of: Dioscorea oppositifolia
For the body system: Female Reproductive System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Dioscorea oppositifolia, commonly known as Chinese yam, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for supporting female reproductive health. It is often incorporated into formulas intended to nourish “yin” and support reproductive function, particularly in women experiencing symptoms related to menopause, menstrual irregularities, or general reproductive weakness. Historical texts and herbal compendia describe its use for tonifying the kidneys and spleen, which are considered crucial in Chinese medical theory for maintaining reproductive balance.
However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. While Dioscorea species are known to contain diosgenin, a steroidal sapogenin that is a precursor in the laboratory synthesis of various steroid hormones (including progesterone), there is no direct evidence that consuming Dioscorea oppositifolia or its extracts has significant hormone-modulating effects in humans. Most clinical research on Dioscorea spp. for female reproductive health focuses on Dioscorea villosa (wild yam), not D. oppositifolia, and results are inconclusive or do not strongly support traditional claims. Thus, the primary justification for its use in supporting the female reproductive system remains traditional rather than scientific.
More about Dioscorea oppositifolia
More about Female Reproductive System
Other ingredients that support Female Reproductive System
7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)amino acids
ashwagandha
basil
black cohosh
borage oil
broccoli
chaste tree
turmeric
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
dandelion
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
eleuthero
evening primrose oil
fennel
fenugreek
flaxseed
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
genistein
ginger
goldenseal
hibiscus
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
inositol
jujube
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus jensenii
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
maca
marine lipid
motherwort
nettle
omega-3 fatty acids
raspberry
rose oil
saffron
selenium
soybean
spearmint leaf
tribulus
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin E
wild yam
red clover
squawvine
mugwort
anise
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
blessed thistle
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
yarrow
dioscorea
dodder
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
guelder rose
trace minerals
anemarrhena asphodeloides
shepherd's purse
wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
25-d-spirosta-3, 5-diene
8-Prenylnaringenin
Angelica
Anamu
AHCC
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Anemone
Agnuside
Ashoka
Abuta
Animal protein
Betony
Blue Cohosh
Bugbane
Bethroot
Barbasco
Belamcanda
Bird's nest
Calochortus
Cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cynomorium
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chlorophytum
Casticin
Ceylon Leadwort
Crinum latifolium
DHEA
Daidzein
Dong Quai
Diosgenin
Date
Egg
Erythrina
Evening Primrose Oil
Estrogen
Folic Acid
False Unicorn Root
Isoflavones
jasmine
Pennyroyal
Rose
Soy Protein
Vervain