Wild yam, known botanically as Dioscorea Villosa, is one of the more common ingredients found in breast enhancement pills and creams. This low, creeping vine grows in only a few specific regions of North America. Its tuber contains a generous amount of diosgenin, a plant compound with a structure similar to steroids, which is often used as a starting point for producing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or estrogen.
It would be easy to dismiss wild yam as just another plant, but it has a long history of traditional use for a range of body disorders. The diosgenin is drawn from the plant's bulb and root and processed into an extract.
There are an estimated 600 or more species of wild yam worldwide. Some are cultivated specifically to supply diosgenin for laboratory steroid production, and these are generally inedible thanks to their very bitter taste. In fact, only about 12 of the 600 species are considered edible. As a natural alternative to estrogen, diosgenin has been used in hormone replacement therapy for menopausal vaginal dryness, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome, and osteoporosis. It has also been associated with traditional use for diverticulosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gallbladder pain, and supporting the body's energy production. Its best-known application, however, is as a natural ingredient marketed for breast enhancement.
Benefits of Wild Yam
Wild yam is associated with several potential benefits, outlined below.
- Breast enhancement. For centuries, wild yam has been used by women as a natural breast enlargement ingredient. The phytoestrogens in the tuber are thought to enter the bloodstream and produce estrogen-like effects by stimulating breast tissue. By locking onto cell receptors, these phytoestrogens may also help moderate the effects of the body's own estrogen. This is why wild yam is often suggested for women dealing with menopausal discomfort, cramps, and PMS symptoms linked to high estrogen levels, and why it is commonly added to daily routines for breast enhancement and hormonal balance. A number of wild yam-infused topical creams on the market are marketed for daily use to support fuller-looking breasts.
- Enhanced sex drive. Wild yam is also associated with supporting sexual libido in women. Those going through menopause often experience considerable stress from hot flashes, night sweats, disrupted sleep, and reduced sexual desire. Lower estrogen levels are largely responsible for that dip in libido, and vaginal dryness can make sex uncomfortable enough that many women avoid it. Because the diosgenin in wild yam acts as a phytoestrogen, it is thought to provide plant-based estrogenic support that may help some women maintain libido during menopause.
Side Effects of Wild Yam
Most adults tolerate wild yam well, though large doses may cause vomiting. A few situations call for extra caution.
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? It is best to avoid wild yam during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. There are no substantial scientific studies establishing its safety or benefits in these situations, so leaving it out of your routine is the safer choice.
- Are you sensitive to changes in estrogen? Certain conditions, including uterine fibroids, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and endometriosis, are sensitive to shifts in estrogen levels. Because wild yam provides plant-based estrogen, it should be avoided if you have a condition that can be worsened by increased estrogen. Separately, people with protein S deficiency face a higher risk of clotting, and the estrogenic activity in wild yam may raise that risk further. Anyone with this deficiency should avoid wild yam until more research is available.
If none of the conditions above apply to you, you may consider adding wild yam products to your daily routine in pursuit of fuller-looking breasts.
If you are looking for breast enhancement supplements made with wild yam, you are in the right place. We have put together a comprehensive list of breast enhancement products featuring wild yam, along with the information you need to compare the best options.2023
