Is Wild Yam Good for Menopause?
What does the word “yam” make you think of? For many people, the first answer is dinner! But that’s not all; yam isn’t just a beloved culinary staple, it’s also a potent supplement with traditional uses as a menopause aid, pain reliever, and much, much more! In this article we’ll explore Wild Yam supplement benefits especially for menopause.
What is Wild Yam?
Wild Yam (Disocorea villosa) is a species of yam native to eastern North America. Its growth range extends as far north as Minnesota all the way down to Florida. Identifiable by its heart-shaped leaves and large, circular climbing seed stalks, Wild Yam has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including hormonal imbalances.
Why the focus on hormones? Wild Yam is rich in dioscin, a chemical precursor to diosgenin, a phytochemical (literally, a naturally-occurring plant-based chemical) classified as a steroid saponin. In an industrial setting, diosgenin has been used to synthesize hormones including progesterone and cortisone, and was even used to manufacture oral contraceptives in the early 1950’s.
However, in the body, simply consuming Wild Yam isn’t enough to yield progesterone. And, contrary to popular belief, Wild Yam on its own doesn’t impact estrogen receptors. But Wild Yam can help reduce some of the inflammation and pain associated with menopause. This is why Wild Yam supplements that target menopause specifically should also include other hormone-targeting ingredients like Black Cohosh and Shatavari Root (MediHerb’s Wild Yam Complex by Standard Process is a great example).
Wild Yam Supplement Benefits
Possible benefits of Wild Yam supplements include:
- Alleviate arthritis pain and delay osteoarthritis progression
- Lower blood sugar
- Reduce risk of and slow progression of breast cancer
- Fight inflammation and reduce oxidative stress
Is Wild Yam Good for Menopause?
Traditionally, Wild Yam has been used for centuries to support and relieve the symptoms of menopause and PMS. Specifically, Wild Yam creams have been used to alleviate hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause. But is Wild Yam good for menopause? The scientific literature on the subject remains inconclusive.
As discussed above, Wild Yam was used in the manufacturing of early birth control pills due to its high concentration of dioscin, a diosgenin precursor. In the laboratory, these natural chemicals can be used to synthesize sex hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and DHEA, leading to the belief that simply ingesting Wild Yam is enough to yield the same effect in the body.
Unfortunately, the complex chemical reactions used to convert dioscin and diosgenin into usable hormones are not ones that occur in the human body. This means that Wild Yam alone may not be the best choice to help rebalance hormones impacted by perimenopause or menopause.
However, Wild Yam is a great choice for relieving menopause joint pain and inflammation caused by fluctuating estrogen levels. It can also help slow the onset of osteoarthritis, a pervasive and painful form of chronic joint pain and inflammation that is more common in women and tends to begin during, or after, menopause.
Including Wild Yam supplements as part of a broader menopause-relief supplement stack, or as a primary ingredient in a menopause-relief supplement can offer a holistic approach to tackling menopause symptoms.
As always, make sure you check with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine.
Where to Buy Wild Yam Supplements
Interested in trying Wild Yam supplements for menopause relief? Our top pick is MediHerb Wild Yam Complex. Packed with six different menopause-relief herbs, MediHerb Wild Yam Complex by Standard Process helps relieve menopause discomfort, balance mood, and control inflammation. You can buy it here in our shop.
