Wild yam root is widely sold as a skin cream but may also be found as a supplement. It has traditionally been used to treat hormonal conditions, such as menopause and PMS, as well as alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
This root influences the production of several useful hormones in humans, such as estrogen or dehydroepiandrosterone. Consuming wild yam may be a natural way of promoting these hormones in the body, which could have certain medical benefits.