Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) is a medicinal plant in the yam family (Dioscoreaceae), native chiefly to eastern North America; related species also grow in Asia. Its root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to relieve menstrual and digestive cramps and menopausal symptoms.
Today, wild yam is best known for its diosgenin content, a plant compound that has attracted considerable interest from researchers in recent years. Wild yam is a key ingredient in LIBRATELLO'Oon JAM Balance Cream — a unique holistic olfactory cosmetic product from Slovenia.
What does wild yam contain?
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) contains steroidal saponins, especially diosgenin — a naturally occurring plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that is used in industry to synthesise steroid hormones.
Wild yam contains mainly steroidal saponins, of which dioscin and diosgenin are the most important. Because of its chemical structure, diosgenin is an important raw material for the industrial production of steroid hormones such as progesterone, cortisone and other corticosteroids.
It is important to emphasise that there is currently no clinical evidence that consuming wild yam increases progesterone or oestrogen levels in humans. The human body is an exceptionally complex system and we do not yet fully understand all metabolic pathways; however, research to date has not confirmed that diosgenin is converted into progesterone in the body.
What is Diosgenin? (Definition)
Diosgenin is a natural plant compound (a steroidal saponin) found in high concentrations in the root of wild yam (Dioscorea villosa). Because of its unique molecular structure, diosgenin is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a principal raw material for the laboratory synthesis of steroid hormones (such as progesterone and corticosteroids). It is important to emphasise that diosgenin is not a hormone and is not directly converted into progesterone in the human body; rather, it acts as a powerful antioxidant with exceptional anti-inflammatory potential, gently supporting the female body's natural hormonal balance.
How does diosgenin work?
Diosgenin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity — it affects cellular signalling pathways (NF-κB), fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity. It is not a hormone and is not converted into progesterone in the body.
Diosgenin is not a hormone, but it may affect various cellular signalling pathways associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism. I like to describe it as a hormone-friendly active ingredient; however, it is important to emphasise that most of the effects described below are based on preclinical research (in cell cultures and animals). There are not yet enough clinical studies in humans to confirm the same effects.
Research to date indicates that diosgenin may:
- support anti-inflammatory processes by affecting signalling pathways such as NF-κB,
- act as an antioxidant and help protect cells from oxidative stress,
- affect fat metabolism and reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestine,
- improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism (in preclinical research),
- affect signalling pathways that regulate cell growth and renewal.
These results are promising, but they will need to be confirmed by further high-quality clinical studies in humans.
Diosgenin and hormones
Diosgenin is not natural progesterone. It is a raw material for the laboratory synthesis of progesterone, but it is not converted into a hormone in the human body. It acts as a plant compound that gently supports hormonal balance.
We often hear the claim that wild yam contains “natural progesterone”. This is not true.
Although diosgenin is an important raw material for the laboratory production of progesterone, there is currently no evidence that it is converted into progesterone, oestrogen or other steroid hormones in the human body. Preclinical research indicates that it may affect certain hormone-related signalling pathways and receptors, but this cannot be equated with the effects of hormone therapy.
Wild yam is therefore not classified as a hormonal medicine or a substitute for hormone treatment. I experience it as a plant that gently supports the female body and hormonal balance. This is my personal experience and the reason I included it in the development of LIBRATELLO'Oon JAM. Read more about hormonal imbalance and its causes in a separate article.
What is wild yam most commonly used for?
Wild yam is most commonly used for menopausal symptoms, PMS and menstrual cramps. LIBRATELLO'Oon includes it in JAM cream for transdermal skin care and olfactory support for hormonal balance.
As a dietary supplement, it is most commonly used for:
- menopausal symptoms,
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS),
- menstrual cramps,
- digestive cramps,
- joint pain.
Although people often use it for these purposes, scientific evidence of its effectiveness in humans is not yet consistent.
I advocate transdermal application far more than dietary use. The skin is our largest organ and an important connection between the body and the environment. I believe that carefully selected plant ingredients, quality lipids, essential oils, active ingredients and a considered formulation can offer the skin support and a feeling of balance and relaxation. This philosophy guided the creation of LIBRATELLO'Oon JAM cream. Also read which wild yam cream is right for you.
Side effects
At recommended doses, wild yam is well tolerated by most people. Nausea, digestive problems, headache or rare allergic reactions may occasionally occur.
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and people with hormone-sensitive conditions (e.g. certain types of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer) should consult a doctor or another appropriately qualified professional before use.
Summary
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) is a medicinal plant containing diosgenin — a compound with antioxidant properties. It is not a substitute for hormone therapy, but it is a key ingredient in LIBRATELLO'Oon JAM cream for holistic care.
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) is a traditional medicinal plant whose most extensively studied active compound is diosgenin. Preclinical research indicates promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and metabolic effects, but high-quality clinical studies in humans are still lacking in most areas.
Wild yam is therefore not a substitute for hormone therapy. It is a plant with interesting research potential that modern science continues to study, and many users value it as part of a holistic approach to wellbeing. This is why wild yam is at the heart of LIBRATELLO'Oon JAM cream — the world's first holistic olfactory cosmetic product.
References
Jesus M, Martins APJ, Gallardo E, Silvestre S. Diosgenin: Recent Highlights on Pharmacology and Analytical Methodology. Biomedicines. 2022;10(10):2489.
Xu Y, Liu W, Fang B, Gao S, Yan J. Diosgenin as a Potential Anti-Atherosclerosis Agent: A Review. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022.
Chen PS, Shih YW, Huang HC, Cheng HW. Diosgenin, a Predominant Phytochemical in Dioscorea Species: Biological Effects and Molecular Mechanisms. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025.
Frequently asked questions about wild yam
What is wild yam?
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) is a medicinal plant from North America whose root is traditionally used to relieve menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. It contains diosgenin, a plant compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Does wild yam contain natural progesterone?
No. Wild yam does not contain natural progesterone. It contains diosgenin, which is a raw material for the laboratory production of progesterone, but it is not converted into progesterone in the human body.
Which cream contains wild yam?
LIBRATELLO'Oon JAM cream is a pioneering Slovenian olfactory cream with a high-quality wild yam extract (Dioscorea Villosa), which acts holistically on the skin and central nervous system through an olfactory pyramid of thyme, geranium and frankincense.