Evidence supporting the use of: Barbasco
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Barbasco is a common name that typically refers to several plant species, most notably Dioscorea species (wild yam), especially Dioscorea mexicana or Dioscorea composita. In traditional medicine, particularly among Indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America, barbasco has been used for a variety of ailments, including symptoms that could be associated with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The traditional use is based on the presence of steroidal saponins (such as diosgenin), which are precursors for the synthesis of corticosteroids and other hormones in the pharmaceutical industry. However, it is important to note that consuming barbasco directly does not provide these hormones, and there is no robust scientific evidence that barbasco or its unprocessed extracts have measurable anti-inflammatory or disease-modifying effects in RA patients. The evidence for its use is thus rooted in ethnobotanical tradition and anecdotal reports rather than in controlled clinical trials or biomedical research. Therefore, while barbasco holds a place in traditional medicine as a remedy for joint pain or rheumatic complaints, its efficacy for RA is not scientifically validated, and its use should be approached with caution due to potential toxicity of raw plant material.

More about Barbasco
More about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Products containing Barbasco

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.