According to my mother, she had a full hysterectomy at 29. On this side of life, I can’t even wrap my head around how absolutely insane that sounds because 29 is just a few years from when someone’s brain has fully developed. Yet the reality of how much Western medicine tends to be so…recklessly apathetic when it comes to our people is another message for another time. The reason why I’m leading with that part of her story is because that happening is how I know so much about supplements like evening primrose oil, black cohosh, and what we’re going to discuss today: wild yam.
Something that all of these have in common is they are an all-natural approach for women who may have imbalanced hormones, have a difficult time with their cycle, or need some help getting through menopause. And because wild yam is a plant that has a solid reputation for containing a property known as diosgenin, which is oftentimes used to create estrogen and DHEA in laboratories — that’s why we’re going to dive into why, if you’re looking for a natural alternative to get your hormone levels right, wild yam is something that you might want to consider adding to your overall health regimen. Because it can do that and so many other things for you.
I’ve got 10 reasons to consider wild yam right here.
10 Reasons To Add Wild Yam to Your Health Regimen
1. Wild Yam Is a Solid Protein Alternative for Vegetarians and Vegans
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If you happen to be vegetarian or vegan and you’re looking for some protein alternatives to meat (check out “Vegetarian Or Vegan? Check Out These High Protein Foods.”), wild yam qualifies. That’s because it contains around two grams of protein per serving, not to mention the fact that it’s also a good source of copper, potassium, manganese, and fiber. Just a word of caution, though: if you’re someone who has a protein S deficiency, run wild yam by your healthcare provider before taking it. Since you tend to blood clot easier than others, the estrogen-like effect of wild yam could intensify this particular health issue for you.
2. Wild Yam Can Be “Taken in” in Several Different Forms
Since some people like to make soup that consists of wild yam, stir fry wild yam, or even create a wild yam soufflé, of course, one way that you can get wild yam into your system is by cooking with it. However, there are other ways to benefit from it, too, from tablets and capsules to teas, creams, and powders. I like to use a homemade cream that I found by referral. Anyway, do some research into what you think would be the most comfortable and convenient for you. Since there are many, that’s another reason to consider adding it to your life.
3. Wild Yam Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
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If getting your blood sugar levels to where they need to be is one of your current health-related goals, wild yam may be able to help you out. There are more and more studies coming out indicating that there are properties in wild yam that can help manage blood sugar thanks to the chemical dioscoretine that is in it.
4. Wild Yam Can Balance Out Your Hormone Levels
Again, don’t get me started on how quickly Westernized medicine is willing to cosign on a drug that can come with more side effects than the issue you’re using the drug for, and yet they want to frown on alternative methods (eye roll). That’s my intro to saying that as far as wild yam being able to help balance your hormones, a lot of medical sites say there is no solid evidence to support it. I’ll just say that I know women who use it topically during PMS to reduce bloating during their cycle to reduce discomfort, and during menopause to reduce hot flashes. Do with that what you will; in the meantime, you can read more about how wild yam is potentially beneficial in the hormone department by clicking here.
5. Wild Yam Is Used As an All-Natural Fertility Treatment
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Speaking of hormone levels, if you’re currently trying to get pregnant and it’s been difficult because your hormones are not as balanced as they should be, this is another way that wild yam could prove to be beneficial. Research reveals that not only does it contain properties that can help to increase your estrogen levels, but it’s also able to improve the quality of your cervical mucus which can make it easier for you to conceive. Just make sure that if you are pregnant or nursing you DON’T use wild yam. In those cases, its estrogen-like effects could be problematic instead of beneficial.
6. Wild Yam Reduces Inflammation
If bodily inflammation is something that you’re currently trying to stay on top of, the diosgenin that’s in wild yam can help with that, too. There are even studies that cite that inflammatory issues like asthma actually see better results when diosgenin is used instead of certain synthetic treatments.
7. Wild Yam Boosts Cognitive Function
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Want to boost your memory? Use some wild yam. Wish to improve your emotional well-being? Use some wild yam. Looking to slow down the signs of aging in your brain? Yep, you guessed it. Keeping your brain in great condition is just one more thing that diosgenin has the proven ability to do.
8. Wild Yam Brings Relief to Rheumatoid Arthritis
So, if you were to go online to purchase some fresh wild yam, you might notice that another name given to it is “rheumatism root.” That’s because remember how I said a sec ago that wild yam is good at decreasing bodily inflammation? Well, since rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation of the joints, there are ongoing studies revealing that wild yam could be beneficial when it comes to soothing arthritic-related symptoms, too.
9. Wild Yam Soothes Muscular Discomfort
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Since wild yam contains properties that help to balance and even elevate certain hormone levels, it’s actually something that many bodybuilders are fans of. Not only because it can help to build muscle mass but, if you’re someone who experiences muscle cramps or spasms while working out (think charley horses), some research reveals that wild yam has antispasmodic effects — which means it can (possibly) help to bring relief to menstrual cramps too.
10. Wild Yam Is Great for Menopause
Listen, the fact that wild yam comes with zero side effects as far as hormone replacement alternatives go is enough reason to give it a shot in my book because the same cannot be said for going the more conventional route (you can read more about all of that here). And although studies continue to be ongoing, there are some that say wild yam (some say taken internally more than applied topically) can help to make menopause-related symptoms more manageable, again thanks to the diosgenin that’s in it.
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You know what they say: knowledge is power. So, if you’ve been looking for an all-natural approach to certain health-related issues, at the very least, do some of your own deep diving into wild yam. It’s something I’m a fan of and have not one regret for that being the case. Not a one.
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