In 20 years in business, I have seen women try all manner of complicated combinations of hormones, both bio-identical and prescription. I have seen some have limited success. Many have some "relief" for a bit and then are off searching for "something else." Through a haze of discomfort and mixed messages, these ladies often find MoonMaid Botanicals.
There is a lot of confusion about the difference between “true wild yam products and bio-identical products. To start with, bio-identical products have a hormone; progesterone, an estrogen and maybe testosterone. Wild Yam products contain none of these. Many so called “wild yam creams” available in natural food stores, actually have some bio-identical progesterone in them. I do not know what type of wild yam they contain – an oil, a powder an extract? I never received a clear answer. To read the label is to gain a wealth of knowledge about what you are purchasing.
Why the Focus on Progesterone?
Though progesterone is our “secondary” hormone, in our array
of sex hormones, it is critical keeping our estrogens and androgen
(testosterone in women) balances, it is necessary for osteoblast production in
our bones (that helps keep them strong) and it plays a key role in skin
integrity. As you can see, it is then
important for our sex drive, for strong bones and for radiant skin. There is no “one magic remedy” it would seem
progesterone is quite important.
Low progesterone is thought to be responsible for things as
common as PMS and irregular cycles as well as more troublesome conditions like
endometriosis, fibroids and cysts. These
issues being all too common these days. I
am a firm believer that our bodies are fully equipped to go through all cycles
of life, from puberty to menopause, without a lot of trouble and illness. However, in the estrogen laden world in which
we live, life cycles have become diseases.
About Wild Yam
Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) is a beautiful woodland herb
that is well represented in the Great Smoky Mountains, the site of MoonMaid’s
Botanical Sanctuary. Classified an
endangered species, due to over harvesting, makes finding wild yam a special
challenge. We do not harvest here. We look for ethical growers and wildcrafters
for the wild yam used in ProMeno, ProAndro and Vital “V” wild yam products. We have “adopted” wild yam as part of United
Plant Savers conservation program.
Topical Wild Yam
A third version of “wild yam” is a true herbal formula. Wild yam infused in an oil, which is then blended into a cream or salve for topical application. Hormone-free, this product is often the choice of women who have had cancer, fibroids or endometriosis which have been directly connected to environmental or xeno-estrogens.
Our wild yam salves and creams assist the body with progesterone production naturally. Topical application is more effective for progesterone or wild yam products because passage through the liver tends to decrease the effectiveness and potency because of the potent alkaloid, diosgenin is destroyed as it passes through the liver. Herbal products do not convert directly into progesterone but seem to assist the body with progesterone production. MoonMaid makes a wild yam cream, ProMeno, and a salve, Vital “V.”
Why two wild yam products?
ProMeno Women’s Wild Yam Cream is applied to the skin, anywhere on the body for absorption into the bloodstream. Vital “V” Wild Yam Salve is “stickier” and designed for use directly in the vaginal area. MoonMaid also makes a wild yam cream for men, ProAndro Men’s Wild Yam Cream that contains prostate tonic herbs sarsaparilla, nettle root and saw palmetto with the added benefit of wild yam.