Safety Profile
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Wild yam root contains diosgenin, a steroidal saponin. The body cannot convert diosgenin to progesterone; wild yam cream has no proven hormonal activity. Oral supplements are generally well tolerated. High doses may cause nausea and vomiting. Weak estrogenic activity is possible — caution in hormone-sensitive conditions.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Dioscorea villosa
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- No significant safety signals identified in the reviewed literature.
The available scientific evidence for Wild Yam indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 06 აპრ 2026, 12:11
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWThe Combination of Diosgenin, Vitamin D, and u03b1-Lactalbumin Normalizes the Menstrual Cycle in Women with PCOS of Phenotype D: A Pilot Clinical… ↗Russo M et al.. The Combination of Diosgenin, Vitamin D, and u03b1-Lactalbumin Normalizes the Menstrual Cycle in Women with PCOS of Phenotype D: A Pilot Clinical Study.. Nutrients. 2025. PMID:41373986.PMID 41373986 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41373986/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWChemosensitization and Molecular Docking Assessment of Dio-NPs on Resistant Breast Cancer Cells to Tamoxifen. ↗Abd-Elghany AA et al.. Chemosensitization and Molecular Docking Assessment of Dio-NPs on Resistant Breast Cancer Cells to Tamoxifen.. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025. PMID:40283888.PMID 40283888 ↗Journal Pharmaceuticals (Basel)Year 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40283888/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWHerbal Treatment of Female Urogenital Atrophy: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis. ↗Ritzmann D. Herbal Treatment of Female Urogenital Atrophy: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.. Complement Med Res. 2024. PMID:38211573.PMID 38211573 ↗Journal Complement Med ResYear 2024Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38211573/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPhysicochemical Properties of Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) Starch. ↗Oladebeye AO et al.. Physicochemical Properties of Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) Starch.. Int J Food Sci. 2023. PMID:37810947.PMID 37810947 ↗Journal Int J Food SciYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37810947/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract. ↗Raj PS et al.. Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract.. Int J Toxicol. 2023. PMID:37751575.PMID 37751575 ↗Journal Int J ToxicolYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37751575/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPhyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer… ↗Grandi G et al.. Phyto-progestins for the treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding without organic cause in women at high risk for breast cancer and breast cancer survivors: a prospective, pilot study.. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2023. PMID:37494965.PMID 37494965 ↗Journal Gynecol EndocrinolYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37494965/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBiosynthetic Gene Expression and Tissue Distribution of Diosgenin in Dioscorea japonica. ↗Onoda K et al.. Biosynthetic Gene Expression and Tissue Distribution of Diosgenin in Dioscorea japonica.. J Agric Food Chem. 2023. PMID:36753603.PMID 36753603 ↗Journal J Agric Food ChemYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36753603/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWProbiotic Characterization of Indigenous Kocuria flava Y4 Strain Isolated from Dioscorea villosa Leaves. ↗Barik A et al.. Probiotic Characterization of Indigenous Kocuria flava Y4 Strain Isolated from Dioscorea villosa Leaves.. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2023. PMID:34825308.PMID 34825308 ↗Journal Probiotics Antimicrob ProteinsYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34825308/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWGracillin Shows Potential Efficacy Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Through Inhibiting the mTOR Pathway. ↗Li Y et al.. Gracillin Shows Potential Efficacy Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Through Inhibiting the mTOR Pathway.. Front Oncol. 2022. PMID:35392243.PMID 35392243 ↗Journal Front OncolYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35392243/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPurification and Optimization of Extracellular Lipase from a Novel Strain Kocuria flava Y4. ↗Barik A et al.. Purification and Optimization of Extracellular Lipase from a Novel Strain Kocuria flava Y4.. Int J Anal Chem. 2022. PMID:35169395.PMID 35169395 ↗Journal Int J Anal ChemYear 2022Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35169395/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Wild Yam. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Wild Yam
A score of 2.0 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.