Herb library · Herb · Dioscorea villosa
Wild yam
A North American vine whose root, called colic root, was a favorite Eclectic remedy, and which is sold today, mostly as a skin cream, for menopause. In a placebo-controlled trial the cream did no better than placebo and did not change hormone levels.
Traditional use
A slender vine found throughout the United States, most common in the central and southern parts. Its rhizome was a favorite of American Eclectic physicians for more than 60 years before 1898, under the names wild yam, colic root and rheumatism root. Today wild yam creams, which contain steroidal saponins such as diosgenin, are popular with women looking for an alternative to hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, and the extract is used in cosmetics.
What studies show
- Limited· shows no benefit
Menopausal symptoms: in a 2001 double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in 23 women, 3 months of wild yam cream had little effect on flushing, night sweats or other symptoms, and no more than placebo. It did not change levels of progesterone, estradiol or other hormones, cholesterol, weight or blood pressure.
- Insufficient
Colic, rheumatism and other traditional uses: no studies in people were found in the sources read.
Be careful of
Cautions
- NoteIn the 2001 trial, 3 months of the cream caused no significant side effects. That is the only safety evidence in people found; taking wild yam by mouth has not been studied in the sources read.
- ConditionA cosmetic safety review names possible hormone-like activity from diosgenin as its main concern; the extract it tested showed none. Undiluted extract irritated skin in animal tests, while a 10% dilution did not.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
From the old books
What herbals and dispensaries of the past printed. History, in their words.
“The root loses its therapeutical virtues after the first year, and hence should be freshly gathered every year, and carefully dried.”
“Eclectic physicians are aware of the difference between these rhizomæ, and refuse to use the “false” variety, insisting that it does not possess the medicinal properties, and can not safely be substituted for the “true.””
Sources
- Effects of wild yam extract on menopausal symptoms, lipids and sex hormones in healthy menopausal women (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Final report of the amended safety assessment of Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) root extract (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.