Wild Yam
Benefits of Wild Yam
- Menopause
- Form: Extract
- Where its from: North America, Asia
What is Wild Yam?
Wild Yam is a plant native to North America and Asia, the root of which has been used in traditional herbal practice for centuries. It has a place in Ayurveda (a form of traditional medicine practised in India and Nepal), and Native American peoples have traditionally used the root, including in relation to women's health. Wild Yam root contains a plant compound called 'diosgenin', which has attracted a good deal of research interest.
What does the research say about Wild Yam?
Wild Yam is one of the botanicals covered in reviews of herbal preparations used around the menopause. Wild yams have also been studied for their antioxidant activity. And a study in healthy post-menopausal women looked at the effects of eating yam on hormone levels.
Looking after your bones matters at every stage of life, and especially around the menopause, when oestrogen levels fall.
You may enjoy reading 'Mental health effects of menopause', '12 most common signs of menopause', '8 Unusual Signs of the Menopause' and 'Why is bone health so important in menopause?'. You may be interested in 'Menopause resources for home and work'.
Why it's in MenoFriend®
Wild Yam is a source of diosgenin, a phytoestrogenic steroidal saponin. Diosgenin does not directly convert into oestrogen, but enhances oestradiol binding to oestrogen receptor beta.1 This allows the body to utilise its oestrogen.
Enhanced brain function: Diosgenin is a neuroprotectant and antioxidant. It can reverse anxiety and depression and improve cognitive impairment. Diosgenin restores monoamine neurotransmitters and modulates adenosine energy and its metabolites in the brain. Diosgenin normalises high cortisol levels.2 Diosgenin has a positive effect on the cognitive function of menopausal women.3 A pharmacological rreview concluded that Diosgenin’s non-toxic nature showed cognitive benefits for menopausal women.
Normalisation of lipid metabolism: Diosgenin normalises lipid metabolism4 and reduces the risk of heart disease which is increased for menopausal women.
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Red Clover
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Schisandra
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Zinc
Zinc is essential for the normal functioning of our immune system, and for the health of our hair and skin. Infections, hair loss and white marks on nails are among the signs of a deficiency.
Calcium
Calcium is crucial for strong bones and teeth. It is also vital for nerve transmission, blood clotting, muscle functions and helping your body digest food.
Chamomile
For years Chamomile has been used as a natural remedy to treat poor sleep and is often regarded as a sleep inducer, thought to be due to the calming effects of apigenin, an antioxidant.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps is acclaimed for increasing the body's resistance to fatigue and stress by stimulating the adrenal glands and modulating our nervous system.
