There is no history of traditional use in this form, nor has scientific research been undertaken to back up these claims. Herbalists who have investigated the constituent profile of wild yam have found no relationship between its known constituents and the claimed progestogenic action, either via ingestion or external application. Anecdotes suggest that women are benefitting from its use, and the creams are very popular, particularly it seems, in the Northern Rivers region. This raises questions that need to be addressed. Consequently, the School of Natural and Complementary Medicine at Southern Cross University is interested in developing clinical research in this area, and hopes to have a research project underway during 1998.
Herbal medicine has much to offer women in the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause.
For many it is the therapy of choice. In this area of herbal treatment, a blending of tradition and science has begun, which has the potential to allow practitioners and patients to be confident in a wider range of effective therapeutic interventions. A systematic, criteria-based review. Duker E et al Effects of extracts from Cimicifuga racemosa on gonadotropin release in menopausal woman and ovariectomized rats.