Evidence supporting the use of: Barbasco
For the body system: Uterus

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 term that refers to various plant species, most notably Dioscorea mexicana and Dioscorea composita, which are wild yam species native to Mexico and Central America. Traditionally, indigenous peoples and local healers have used these plants for a variety of medicinal purposes, including applications related to women's reproductive health. The historical use of Barbasco for supporting the uterus, regulating menstrual cycles, or easing menopause symptoms is largely based on its content of diosgenin, a steroidal saponin. Diosgenin can be chemically converted in the laboratory to produce steroid hormones such as progesterone, which play a key role in the female reproductive system.

However, there is no robust scientific evidence that consuming Barbasco or its extracts directly exerts hormone-like effects in the human body, as the body does not convert diosgenin into progesterone naturally. Most uses are rooted in ethnobotanical traditions rather than clinical trials. While Barbasco played a crucial role historically in the pharmaceutical synthesis of hormones, its direct use as a uterine tonic is not well-supported by modern scientific research. Thus, its reputation for supporting the uterus is primarily traditional, with only modest anecdotal or historical backing and little direct clinical validation.

More about Barbasco
More about Uterus

Products containing Barbasco

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