Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract

A soothing extract derived from wild yam roots. Its anti-inflammatory compounds are claimed to act similar to corticoid hormones in the treatment of damaged skin.
Soothing
Origin
Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract

Overview

Dioscorea villosa root extract is a soothing extract with anti-inflammatory compounds obtained from the roots (rhizomes) of the wild yam, Dioscorea villosa.

There is not much evidence behind the wild yam extract yet. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and is known to contain phytosterols, steroidal saponins, and triterpene saponins - which have a structure similar to corticoid hormones.

The patent application states that the wild yam extract is suitable for the treatment of sun-damaged skin because the above-mentioned compounds supposedly work in a way similar to corticosteroids. There is no evidence to confirm this.

Science

1
Final Report of the Amended Safety Assessment of Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract1. (2004). International Journal of Toxicology, 23(2_suppl), 49–54.