What is Wild Yam?
Wild yam is the Dioscorea nipponica, or wild yam (also known as Devil's Bones, Colic Root, and Rheumatism Root), which is a root vegetable that has been used for thousands of years for its many purported health benefits. It contains a chemical called diosgenin. The root and the bulb of the plant are used as a source of diosgenin. It also aids digestion and is rich in diosgenin, a bioactive alkaloid that has its own unique health benefits.
This article reviews the health advantages of wild yam root:
Health Advantages
Wild yam has a wide range of benefits. Herbal supplements manufacturers will often describe wild yam as 'natural estrogen' or 'natural DHEA'.
Regulate Blood Sugar
Wild yam also contains a chemical called dioscoretine, which some people think helps with the regulation of blood sugar levels. The U.S. National Library of Medicine suggests that wild yam may help regulate blood sugar. This is believed to be due to a substance called dioscoretine and has been studied showing positive results.
Help Arthritis
Some traditional medicine practitioners believe that wild yam has anti-inflammatory properties and it has traditionally been used to treat arthritis, which causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. A 2013 study published BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine reported that higher doses of wild yam (400 mg/kg of body weight) appeared to alleviate nerve pain, while lower doses (200 mg/kg) reduced overall inflammation. No notable side effects or toxicities were found.
Skin Health
Wild yam root is a common ingredient in anti-aging skin creams. One test-tube study noted that diosgenin may encourage the growth of new skin cells, which could have anti-aging effects. Studies indicate that the disogenin found in wild yam extract may have a 'depigmenting effect.' This means it could help with issues such as melasma, melanodermatitis and sun lentigo.
Hormone Balance
Wild yam root contains diosgenin. It's a plant steroid that scientists can manipulate to produce steroids, such as progesterone, estrogen, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which are then used for medical purposes.
How to Find Wild Yam?
Naturalin® - Top Herbal Manufacturer. Wild yam root we sell is of premium quality and safe. It be combined in the context of formulas to enhance each others desirable action and to minimize any potential side effect. You can search our Herbs & Spices page or contact us to get the formulas that utilize the herb of interest.
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