A Prospective Study. Am J Clin Nutr. Wild Yam contains steroidal saponins that are pharmaceutically converted into cortisone, estrogen, and progesterone-like compounds. Women who require progesterone should consult a health professional and not rely soley on wild yam or other herbs. Although the pharmaceutical conversion cannot be duplicated by the body, wild yam offers many other benefits.
Wild yam is considered to be a strong antispasmodic and has potential anti-inflamatory properties.
It has been use in folk medicine as a remedy for kidney problems, arthritis, ulcers, and tuberculosis. It was recommended by the Roman physician Galen. Horsetail is rich in bioflavonoids along with potassium, aluminum, and manganese. It also contains silicon, a trace mineral that plays an important role in bone formation. In animal research, silicon supplementation was shown to increase bone density.