Plant Comparison

Wild Yam vs Red Clover

A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.

First plant
Second plant
Show:
Plant AWild YamDioscorea villosaDioscoreaceaeFull monograph →
Plant BRed CloverTrifolium pratenseFabaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Wild Yam and Red Clover: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), inflammation (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.

Wild YamRed Clover
Constituents22
Pharmacological actions410
Indicated uses1016
Safety notes22
Cited sources1544
Indicated uses
Only Wild Yam
Back painHeadachePain (general)
Shared (7)
Arthritis / joint painCancer (anticancer research)Inflammation (general)MenopauseMenstrual crampsMuscle spasmSkin irritation
Only Red Clover
BronchitisCardiovascular / heart healthCoughRespiratory supportHot flashesHigh cholesterolBlood sugar / diabetes supportCognitive functionWounds
Pharmacological actions
Only Wild Yam
Analgesic (pain relief)
Shared (3)
Anti-inflammatoryAnticancer (preclinical)Antispasmodic
Only Red Clover
AntioxidantExpectorantLipid-loweringNeuroprotective / cognition supportAntidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)AntimicrobialVulnerary (wound healing)

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionWild YamRed CloverVerdict
Arthritis / joint pain2/105/10Stronger for Red Clover
Cancer (anticancer research)2/107/10Stronger for Red Clover
Inflammation (general)2/105/10Stronger for Red Clover
Menopause5/109/10Stronger for Red Clover
Menstrual cramps2/105/10Stronger for Red Clover
Muscle spasm2/105/10Stronger for Red Clover
Skin irritation2/105/10Stronger for Red Clover

Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.

Key Constituents

Steroidal saponins yielding diosgenin[5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14]

Diosgenin is an industrial precursor for making steroid hormones in the laboratory, but it is NOT converted into hormones in the human body. Oral bioavailability of diosgenin is low; in animal studies orally administered diosgenin restored skin thickness in ovariectomised mice and lowered blood lipids.

Saponins
Phytosterols and alkaloids[4, 10]

Supporting constituents of the root.

PhytosterolsAlkaloids
Isoflavones (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, genistein)[14]

Phytoestrogenic isoflavones responsible for the plant's estrogenic and cardiovascular research interest; one of the richest known plant sources.

Flavonoids
Coumarins[40]

Contribute mild anticoagulant activity; relevant to the plant's caution around blood-thinning medication.

Coumarins

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)[10]

Antispasmodic / analgesic for menstrual cramps and muscle spasm (antinociceptive in animal models)

Anti-inflammatory[10]

Anti-inflammatory for joint and inflammatory pain

Anticancer (preclinical)[7]
Antispasmodic[10]

Antispasmodic / analgesic for menstrual cramps and muscle spasm (antinociceptive in animal models)

Anti-inflammatory[4, 14, 17, 22, 28, 33, 34, 40, 41]
Antioxidant[4, 6, 14, 16, 17, 22, 28, 29, 40, 41]
Antispasmodic[8, 14, 40, 41]

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Expectorant[14, 40, 41]
Lipid-lowering[5, 11, 13]
Anticancer (preclinical)[16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 35, 36, 37]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[23, 30, 31, 32]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[24, 25, 38]
Antimicrobial[17, 27]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[17, 39]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[10]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Back pain[10]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from analgesic action

Evidence: 2
Label: Back pain
Cancer (anticancer research)[7]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Headache[10]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from analgesic action

Evidence: 2
Label: Headache
Inflammation (general)[10]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Menopause[10, 15]Moderate · 5/10

Traditional support for menopausal symptoms (see safety note - it does NOT act as a natural progesterone) - a placebo-controlled crossover RCT of topical wild yam cream found little effect on menopausal symptoms, lipids or hormones

Evidence: 5
Label: Menopause
Menstrual cramps[10]Traditional · 2/10

Antispasmodic / analgesic for menstrual cramps and muscle spasm (antinociceptive in animal models)

Evidence: 2
Label: Menstrual cramps
Muscle spasm[10]Traditional · 2/10

Antispasmodic / analgesic for menstrual cramps and muscle spasm (antinociceptive in animal models)

Evidence: 2
Label: Muscle spasm
Pain (general)[10]Traditional · 2/10

Anti-inflammatory for joint and inflammatory pain

Evidence: 2
Label: Pain (general)
Skin irritation[10]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Arthritis / joint pain[14, 34, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bronchitis[14, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 5
Label: Bronchitis
Cardiovascular / heart health[2, 10, 13, 14, 16, 33, 40, 41]Strong · 9/10
Evidence: 9
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
Cough[14, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 5
Label: Cough
Inflammation (general)[14, 28, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5
Label: Inflammation (general)
Menstrual cramps[8, 14, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10
Evidence: 5
Label: Menstrual cramps
Muscle spasm[8, 14, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 5
Label: Muscle spasm
Respiratory support[14, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 5
Label: Respiratory support
Skin irritation[7, 14, 40, 41]Moderate · 5/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 5
Label: Skin irritation
Menopause[1, 5, 11, 12, 15]Strong · 9/10
Evidence: 9
Label: Menopause
Hot flashes[1, 5, 11, 12]Strong · 9/10
Evidence: 9
Label: Hot flashes
High cholesterol[5, 11, 13]Strong · 9/10
Evidence: 9
Label: High cholesterol
Cancer (anticancer research)[16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 35, 36, 37]Good · 7/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 7
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Blood sugar / diabetes support[24, 25, 38]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cognitive function[23, 30, 31, 32]Good · 8/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

Evidence: 8
Label: Cognitive function
Wounds[17, 39]Good · 7/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 7
Label: Wounds

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[10, 15]Info

IMPORTANT myth-bust: wild yam / diosgenin is NOT converted into progesterone or DHEA in the body, so it does not work as a 'natural progesterone' - claims to that effect are incorrect. Consistent with this, a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial of topical wild yam cream found no significant change in symptoms, serum/salivary progesterone, oestradiol, FSH or lipids.

Safety note[10]Caution

Generally well tolerated orally (no acute or subchronic toxicity in animal studies); large doses may cause nausea or vomiting. Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and breastfeeding and in hormone-sensitive conditions as a precaution.

Safety note[14, 40, 41]Caution

Generally safe in normal dietary amounts. Isoflavones are phytoestrogens — exercise caution in oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer patients or those taking hormone therapies. May interact with warfarin (antiplatelet activity). Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Well tolerated in most adults.

Safety note[14, 40, 41, 42]Caution

Duke (2002) rates red clover as +++ and provides clinical evidence (score 2) for estrogenic activity — the plant is one of the richest plant sources of isoflavones (formononetin, biochanin A, daidzein, genistein). Clinical applications include menopausal symptom relief, osteoporosis prevention, and cardiovascular protection in peri-menopausal women. Dose: standardized extract providing 40–160 mg isoflavones daily. Duke cautions that due to strong estrogenic activity, red clover is not recommended in estrogen-dependent cancers (breast, uterine) or alongside hormone replacement therapy without medical supervision. Anti-coagulant coumarins are also present (Duke, 2002).

External Ids

Gbif: 2754553
Wikidata: Q309632
Gbif: 8324121
Wikidata: Q156635

Botanical Description

Twining, herbaceous perennial vine with heart-shaped leaves arising from a knotty, woody, cinnamon-brown rhizome ('root'). Small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers are borne on separate male and female plants, followed on female plants by small three-winged seed capsules.[10]

Height: Vine to several metres, twining over support
Habit: Twining, herbaceous perennial vine
Leaves: Heart-shaped, alternate
Flowers: Small, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, on separate male and female plants
Stem: Slender, twining
Root: Knotty, woody, cinnamon-brown rhizome
Fruit: Small three-winged seed capsule (female plants)
Flowering Period: Summer

Short-lived perennial herb with trifoliate leaves, each leaflet oval and often marked with a pale chevron, arising from a spreading, slightly hairy stem. Dense, rounded, pink to magenta flower heads are borne at the stem tips.[40]

Height: 20-60 cm
Habit: Short-lived perennial herb, spreading via a branching taproot
Leaves: Trifoliate, each leaflet oval with a pale chevron marking, slightly hairy
Flowers: Dense, rounded heads of small pink to magenta pea-like flowers
Stem: Slightly hairy, branching, spreading
Root: Branching taproot with nitrogen-fixing root nodules
Fruit: Small pod containing 1-2 seeds, enclosed within the dried flower head
Flowering Period: May-September

Habitat

Native to woodland edges, thickets and fence rows of eastern North America, growing over shrubs and fences in moist, rich soil.[10]

Grows in meadows, pastures, roadsides and grassy waste ground; native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa and widely naturalised and cultivated as a forage crop elsewhere.[40]

Harvesting

The knotty rhizome is dug in autumn once the aerial vine has died back, then cleaned and dried.

Parts: Root and rhizome
Season: Autumn

The flowering heads are picked at full bloom in summer and dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place to preserve isoflavone content and colour.[40]

Parts: Flower, Leaf
Season: Summer, at full bloom

Traditional Uses

Wild yam root has a Native American and Eclectic-medicine history as an antispasmodic remedy for colic, menstrual cramps and rheumatic joint pain (reflected in the old names 'colic root' and 'rheumatism root'); despite a persistent modern myth, its diosgenin content is not converted into progesterone or other hormones in the human body.[10]

Red clover flower has a long folk tradition as a blood-purifying and expectorant remedy for coughs and skin complaints, and more recently has become one of the most studied herbal sources of isoflavone phytoestrogens, researched for menopausal symptom relief and cardiovascular and bone support.[14, 40, 41]

Preparations

Decoction[10]

Dried root and rhizome simmered in water as a traditional antispasmodic remedy for colic and cramping.

Topical cream[15]

Root extract formulated into topical creams, historically marketed (without good supporting evidence) for menopausal symptoms.

Infusion (flower)[40]

Dried flower heads infused in hot water as a traditional tea for coughs and as a general tonic.

Standardized isoflavone extract[14]

Standardized isoflavone extract in tablet form, the form used in most menopause-related clinical research.

References

REF-0794, REF-0795, REF-0796, REF-2281, REF-2282, REF-2283, REF-2284, REF-2285, REF-2286, REF-0528, REF-2287, REF-2288, REF-2289
REF-1104, REF-1105, REF-1106, REF-1107, REF-1108, REF-1109, REF-1110, REF-1111, REF-1112, REF-1113, REF-2344, REF-2345, REF-2346, REF-0013, REF-2347, REF-2889, REF-2890, REF-2891, REF-2892, REF-2893, REF-2894, REF-2895, REF-2896, REF-2897, REF-2898, REF-2899, REF-2900, REF-2923, REF-2924, REF-2925, REF-2926, REF-2927, REF-2928, REF-2929, REF-2930, REF-2931, REF-2932, REF-2933, REF-2934

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dosage

Not documented

Standardized extract[14]

Clinical research commonly uses around 40-80 mg isoflavones daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Drug Class Interactions

Not documented

Safety note[43, 44]Caution
Drug Class: hormonal-therapies
Mechanism: Red clover is rich in isoflavones that act like weak oestrogens; its safety alongside hormone medicines (such as the contraceptive pill, HRT, or breast-cancer hormone treatments like tamoxifen) or in hormone-sensitive conditions is not established, so combined use warrants caution and medical advice.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

References & Sources

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  2. Cai, B., Zhang, Y., Wang, Z., Xu, D. et al (2020) 'Therapeutic Potential of Diosgenin and Its Major Derivatives against Neurological Diseases: Recent Advances', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, pp. 3153082. doi:10.1155/2020/3153082 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3153082
  3. Raj, P.S., Bergfeld, W.F., Belsito, D.V., Cohen, D.E. et al (2023) 'Safety Assessment of Dioscorea Villosa (Wild Yam) Root Extract as Used in Cosmetics', International Journal of Toxicology, 42(3_suppl), pp. 29S-31S. doi:10.1177/10915818231204230 Traditional / reference
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  1. Kanadys, W., Baranska, A., Blaszczuk, A., Polz-Dacewicz, M. and others (2021) 'Evaluation of Clinical Meaningfulness of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Extract to Relieve Hot Flushes and Menopausal Symptoms in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', Nutrients, 13(4), pp. 1258. doi:10.3390/nu13041258 Meta-analysis / review
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  2. Kanadys, W., Baranska, A., Jedrych, M., Religioni, U. and others (2019) 'Effects of red clover (Trifolium pratense) isoflavones on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women-A systematic review and meta-analysis', Maturitas, 132, pp. 7-16. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2019.11.001 Meta-analysis / review
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  3. Yokoyama, S.I., Kodera, M., Hirai, A., Nakada, M. and others (2020) 'Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Sprout Prevents Metabolic Syndrome', Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 66(1), pp. 48-53. doi:10.3177/jnsv.66.48 Preclinical
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  4. Gosciniak, A., Szulc, P., Zielewicz, W., Walkowiak, J. and others (2023) 'Multidirectional Effects of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in Support of Menopause Therapy', Molecules, 28(13), pp. 5178. doi:10.3390/molecules28135178 Meta-analysis / review
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  6. Oza, M.J. and Kulkarni, Y.A (2020) 'Trifolium pratense (Red Clover) Improves SIRT1 Expression and Glycogen Content in High Fat Diet-Streptozotocin Induced Type 2 Diabetes in Rats', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 17(4), pp. e2000019. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202000019 Preclinical
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  8. Brandli, A., Simpson, J.S. and Ventura, S (2010) 'Isoflavones isolated from red clover (Trifolium pratense) inhibit smooth muscle contraction of the isolated rat prostate gland', Phytomedicine, 17(11), pp. 895-901. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.05.006 Preclinical
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  16. Mohsen, A. and Fatemeh, K. and Leila, N. and Mona, P. and Mohammad, Z. and Mozafar, K (2021) 'Pharmacological and therapeutic properties of the Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.): an overview of the new finding', J Tradit Chin Med, 41(4), pp. 642-649. doi:10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.20210324.001 Meta-analysis / review
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  18. Tanrıverdi, G. and Abdulova, A. and Çölgeçen, H. and Atar, H. and Kaleci, B. and Ekiz-Yılmaz, T (2023) 'Investigation of apoptotic and antiproliferative effects of Turkish natural tetraploid Trifolium pratense L. extract on C6 glioblastoma cells via light and electron microscopy', Ultrastruct Pathol, 47(3), pp. 160-171. doi:10.1080/01913123.2023.2184893 Preclinical
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Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.