An extract of the herb, Wild Yam, has been shown to lower triglycerides and raise levels of the "good" HDL cholesterol that combats build-up of plaque in the arteries. Wild Yam is also considered a remedy for rheumatism, gallbladder problems, cramps, nerve pain, painful menstruation, upset stomach, and morning sickness, but its effectiveness for these problems remains to be confirmed.
Contrary to popular claims, wild yam roots do not contain and are not converted into progesterone or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body. Pharmaceutical progesterone is made from wild yam using a chemical conversion process. This can lead to confusion—while wild yam can be a source of progesterone, it cannot be used without this pharmaceutical conversion, which cannot be duplicated by the body. Women who require progesterone should consult with their physician and not rely on wild yam supplements.
Some people may experience nausea or vomiting when taking large amounts of wild yam (several times the amounts in our supplements). The safety of wild yam during pregnancy and breast feeding has not been established.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with wild yam.
Wild Yam calms muscular spasms and seems to have anti-inflammatory properties. It also stimulates the flow of bile and promotes perspiration. It does not, as some believe, serve as a natural source of the female hormone progesterone. Wild Yam is used in the production of artificial progesterone, but it will not yield the hormone in the absence of a chemical conversion process that the body can't supply.
Wild Yam is a member of the huge Dioscorea family, which includes the common potato. It is named for Dioscorides, the 1st century Greek physician whose botanical writings were the standard for more than a thousand years. The dried root is the medicinal part of the plant.

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