Wild Yam Health
Benefits
Manufacturing process for wild yam extract includes cut up and ground
rhizomes, combine the grounded rhizomes with an eluant, precipitate
the plant material with addition of a miscible solvent, wash, and
redissolve the ingredients in the original eluant. A commercial wild yam
extract contains glycoside and steroidal saponins, diosgenin, alkaloids,
tannins, phytosterols, and starch.
Wild yam is believed to have benefits in menopause, e.g. alleviating
hot flashes, But very limited data regarding their effectiveness have
been published. [1]
One study in Australia showsthat short-term treatment with topical wild
yam extract in women suffering from menopausal symptoms is free of
side-effects, but appears to have little effect on menopausal symptoms.
[3] Extract is safe as used in cosmetic formulations. [2]
[1] Carroll DG. Nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes in menopause. Am Fam Physician. 2006
Feb 1;73(3):457-64. [2] Final report of the amended safety assessment of Dioscorea Villosa
(Wild Yam) root extract. Int J Toxicol. 2004;23 Suppl 2:49-54. [3] Komesaroff PA, et al, Effects
of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal
women. Climacteric. 2001 Jun;4(2):144-50.
Benefits
Manufacturing process for wild yam extract includes cut up and ground
rhizomes, combine the grounded rhizomes with an eluant, precipitate
the plant material with addition of a miscible solvent, wash, and
redissolve the ingredients in the original eluant. A commercial wild yam
extract contains glycoside and steroidal saponins, diosgenin, alkaloids,
tannins, phytosterols, and starch.
Wild yam is believed to have benefits in menopause, e.g. alleviating
hot flashes, But very limited data regarding their effectiveness have
been published. [1]
One study in Australia showsthat short-term treatment with topical wild
yam extract in women suffering from menopausal symptoms is free of
side-effects, but appears to have little effect on menopausal symptoms.
[3] Extract is safe as used in cosmetic formulations. [2]
[1] Carroll DG. Nonhormonal therapies for hot flashes in menopause. Am Fam Physician. 2006
Feb 1;73(3):457-64. [2] Final report of the amended safety assessment of Dioscorea Villosa
(Wild Yam) root extract. Int J Toxicol. 2004;23 Suppl 2:49-54. [3] Komesaroff PA, et al, Effects
of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal
women. Climacteric. 2001 Jun;4(2):144-50.
