Dioscorea villosa
Our evidence-based analysis on dioscorea villosa features 13 unique references to scientific papers.
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Summary of Dioscorea villosa
Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details
Dioscorea villosa is one of the species of yam referred to as ‘wild yam’.
Dioscorea villosa has been claimed to alleviate symptoms of menopause, but there is currently no evidence to support this effect.
Animal evidence suggests Dioscorea villosa can increase skin thickness after low-dose supplementation. This effect suggests Dioscorea villosa is a potentially useful supplement for skin care, but more research is needed before it can be specifically recommended as a cosmetic supplement.
Dioscorea villosa is claimed to alleviate symptoms of menopause because the molecular structures of the yam are similar to many steroid-like compounds. Dioscorea villosa may have effects similar to Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Unfortunately, Dioscorea villosa extracts are associated with kidney and liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by excessive scar tissue. Though this effect is weak, it appears to be both time and dose-dependent. For this reason, chronic supplementation of Dioscorea villosa is not recommended.
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Animal studies suggest Dioscorea villosa supplementation provides benefits when 9.8 – 37.7mg/ kg of bodyweight is given to mice. This translates to an approximate human dosage range of 0.8 – 3mg/kg of bodyweight.
Rat studies show that doses of 790mg/kg of bodyweight (126mg/kg of bodyweight in humans) are associated with fibrosis. Lower doses have not been confirmed to be safe.
Since more research is needed to determine whether Dioscorea villosa is safe for supplementation, it cannot currently be recommended.
Things to Note
Is a Form Of
Primary Function:
Also Known As
Wild Yam
Do Not Confuse With
Common Yam (Dioscorea Rotundata), Purple Yam (Dioscorea Alata)
Caution Notice
Has been linked to weak, but time and dose dependent, increases in liver and kidney fibrosis
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Click here to see all 13 references.
