29-03-2010, 06:08
Anna, you are likely wasting your time and money with wild yam as indicated by the following:
Wild Yam Uses and Pharmacology
The root of D. villosa is reported to be diaphoretic and expectorant in a dose of 4 g. 6 Much of the current herbal use of wild yam is predicated on the misconception that the diosgenin contained in the product can be converted by the human body into steroid hormones, particularly progesterone, through the intermediate dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This notion appears to be based on diosgenin's use as a synthetic precursor of cortisone 7 and of the steroids found in birth control pills. There is no scientific evidence to support the notion that diosgenin or dioscin can be converted by the body into human hormones.
Work with ginseng saponins has shown that metabolism by specific microbes in the gut can substantially enhance uptake of the metabolites into the body. 8 , 9 Thus, one may postulate a similar mechanism of uptake with other, otherwise poorly absorbed plant saponins such as dioscin. Research needs to be done to understand the pharmacodynamics of saponin-containing plants in humans.
Wild Yam Uses and Pharmacology
The root of D. villosa is reported to be diaphoretic and expectorant in a dose of 4 g. 6 Much of the current herbal use of wild yam is predicated on the misconception that the diosgenin contained in the product can be converted by the human body into steroid hormones, particularly progesterone, through the intermediate dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This notion appears to be based on diosgenin's use as a synthetic precursor of cortisone 7 and of the steroids found in birth control pills. There is no scientific evidence to support the notion that diosgenin or dioscin can be converted by the body into human hormones.
Work with ginseng saponins has shown that metabolism by specific microbes in the gut can substantially enhance uptake of the metabolites into the body. 8 , 9 Thus, one may postulate a similar mechanism of uptake with other, otherwise poorly absorbed plant saponins such as dioscin. Research needs to be done to understand the pharmacodynamics of saponin-containing plants in humans.