Anna's Wild Yam Cream

Product Information

After menopause, women have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to a drop in oestrogen, which supports their heart health. More scientific research is needed into the diosgenin that’s present in wild yams and its impact, if any, on human progesterone levels. Summary According to endocrinologist, Dr David Zava, from hormone testing centre, Aeron Life Cycles, the body doesn’t contain any enzymes that convert diosgenin, the active component of wild yams, into progesterone. Wild yam has been shown to interact with certain medications. For example, it can interact with estradiol, which is a substance used in certain birth control pills or hormone replacement therapies. However, some researchers and organisations, such as the American Cancer Society, believe that wild yam has no effect on fertility because it doesn’t produce progesterone within the body.

One study published in the journal, Life Sciences, in 1996 that explored the benefits of wild yam revealed that older people taking wild yam had lower triglyceride levels 9 – a type of fat found in the blood. Wild yam also contains a chemical called dioscoretine which has been shown to regulate blood sugar levels.While they may be starchy, they are relatively low-glycaemic due to their fibre content, which is around 2% of their overall weight. 11

Wild yam is believed to be effective at treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis because of its potent anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve swelling, pain, which has been evidenced by some studies. Wild yam has long been used by herbalists for menstrual cramps due to the fact it may influence hormones in a similar way to how oestrogen does. 5 Preliminary studies have found that glucomannan reduced non-fasting glucose and suppressed appetite in individuals with type 2 diabetes. 13 This chemical, which has also been recognised as being a phytosteroid, is reportedly similar to the steroids that are naturally produced by our body.

Looking for something to help bring back Feminine Balance?

Wild yam is a natural substance, but this does not mean it is free from side effects. In small doses, wild yam is considered safe for most people. However, large amounts of wild yam can lead to side effects, including: A 2013 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that a daily dried extract of wild yam significantly reduced inflammatory markers in the blood samples of mice with medically-induced inflammation.

More recently, studies have found that wild yam contains a chemical called diosgenin, which has been identified as having numerous medicinal qualities. Further studies have suggested that these results were closely related to the many antioxidants in yams. 15 There is also insufficient evidence about whether wild yam is safe during pregnancy, breast-feeding, or for young children. For this reason, doctors recommend people avoid using wild yam during these times.Kaur, B., et al. (2021). Current highlights on biochemical and pharmacological profile of dioscorea alata: A review. Meanwhile, while most scientific research tends to have focused so far on wild yam’s possible impact on menopausal symptoms, the vast majority of results remain inconclusive. These symptoms are caused by a decline in ovarian function – your ovaries start to produce less oestrogen as you go through perimenopause, usually starting in your 40s.