What are the possible side effects of Wild yam (Dioscoreaceae)?
Wild yam given by mouth was reported to cause stomach upset at high doses. Wild yam was believed in the past to have properties similar to the reproductive hormone progesterone, but this has not been supported by scientific studies. It has been suggested that some wild yam creams might be tainted with artificial progesterone. Based on theoretical hormonal properties and possible progesterone contamination, people with hormone-sensitive conditions should use wild yam products with caution. This caution applies to people who have had blood clots or strokes and to women who take hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills. In addition, women with fibroids, endometriosis, or cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovary should be aware that these are hormone-sensitive conditions that may be affected by agents with hormonal properties. In animal studies, compounds from the Dioscorea dumentorum species lower blood sugar levels. It is not clear whether wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) lowers bloo
