Synopsis

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

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) has been used traditionally to support women's reproductive health, including the uterus, particularly in North American indigenous and folk herbal medicine. Traditional uses often involve preparations of wild yam root for menstrual discomfort, menopausal symptoms, and to "tone" the uterus, though these claims are mostly anecdotal and based on historical practices rather than scientific evaluation. The root contains a compound called diosgenin, which has a similar structure to human steroid hormones. However, the human body cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone or other hormones naturally; such transformations only occur in industrial settings for pharmaceutical synthesis.

Scientific studies have not validated the effectiveness of wild yam for uterine health or hormone balance. Systematic reviews and clinical trials have found little to no evidence supporting its efficacy for menopausal symptoms or other gynecological issues. The U.S. National Institutes of Health and other authoritative bodies do not recognize wild yam as effective for supporting uterine health. In summary, while wild yam is used in traditional herbalism for uterine support, there is minimal scientific evidence to justify its use for this purpose.

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