Mexican Yam

Mexican yam, or wild yam – as it is sometimes called – is a species of yam native to north America, Mexico and parts of Asia. It’s health benefits vary, from easing symptoms of arthritis to its more common use as a herbal alternative to hormone-altering medicines often prescribed during menopause or menstruation. The active component in mexican yam is the phytosteroid diosgenin. Phytosteroids are plant based steroids, and are often used as a base for pharmaceutical medications including cortisone and progesterone to name a few. Mexican yam therefore can offer some of the same benefits that these medications can. It influences hormones in a way that is similar to estrogen, so is often taken to relieve menstrual discomforts such as cramps, and has been said to reduce irritability, dryness, hot flushes and hormone imbalance during menopause.