Learn how to make a wild yam cream recipe with infused oil, shea butter, and coconut oil. Since this is an oil based product, you don't need a preservative or emulsifier. It's an easy recipe that's perfect for beginners and advanced DIY-ers.

Wild Yam Cream Recipe

Wild yam lotion is gaining popularity as a natural solution for women. It's gentle, nourishing, and made from natural ingredients. Unlike synthetic hormone creams or commercial skincare products laced with preservatives and artificial fragrances, wild yam cream offers a grounded, holistic alternative.

But it's not just about soft skin. The appeal runs deeper—hormonal harmony. Wild yam has long been associated with natural hormone support, particularly for women navigating the tides of PMS, perimenopause, or menopause. T

he root of this connection lies in the unique plant compounds found in wild yam that echo the body’s natural rhythms.

What is Wild Yam? A Look at the Root of the Remedy

Wild yam, or Dioscorea villosa, is a perennial vine native to North America, known for its twisted, knobby roots and heart-shaped leaves.

Often mistaken for a culinary yam, this root plays a very different role. It’s classified as a medicinal herb and prized for its rich reservoir of diosgenin—a plant-based steroid sapogenin.

Historically, wild yam has been a staple in Indigenous healing practices. Native American communities used it to soothe menstrual discomfort, ease childbirth, and relieve joint pain.

Its status as a “woman’s herb” stems from generations of empirical use, long before laboratories confirmed its properties.

Let’s clear up a common confusion: wild yam is not the orange-fleshed tuber often labeled “yam” in grocery stores. That’s a sweet potato.

Wild yam has a bitter, woody root that is inedible unless processed, and its benefits are drawn through extraction rather than consumption.

The Science Behind Wild Yam’s Benefits

Wild yam contains diosgenin, a compound that resembles human hormones in structure, particularly progesterone.

While it doesn’t directly convert into progesterone in the body, it’s believed to influence hormonal balance through its phytoestrogenic effects—gently modulating estrogen and progesterone levels.

One persistent myth is that wild yam cream contains natural progesterone. In truth, any bio-identical hormone derived from wild yam must undergo a lab-based conversion.

Wild yam cream, as made at home, won’t contain measurable progesterone—but its botanical compounds may still support hormone health in more indirect ways.

While anecdotal evidence abounds, scientific studies are still catching up. Some research suggests that wild yam may have mild anti-inflammatory and estrogenic effects, though findings are mixed.

The overall consensus? Promising, but not conclusive. However, many users report noticeable improvements in mood, skin texture, and menstrual regularity.

Before integrating wild yam cream into your regimen—especially if you're on hormone therapy, contraceptives, or experiencing unexplained symptoms—it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should steer clear. Those with hormone-sensitive conditions like breast cancer should also exercise caution.

Ingredients for Wild Yam Cream

Wild Yam Root. I get my wild yam root from Mountain Maus Remedies on Etsy.
Carrier Oil. Since I use the cream for the herbs and not for skin care, I like to use a lighter oil. Sunflower oil or fractionated coconut oil are both great choices.
Shea Butter. Shea butter is solid at room temperature but melts when it comes in contact with your skin. It's also not oily and soaks into the skin quickly.
Coconut Oil. Coconut oil helps harden the lotion and gives it bulk. It is nourishing for the skin.
Essential Oils. Essential oils are optional. Good ones to try are lavender, ylang ylang, or clary sage. Simply Earth also has a Ladies Choice blend with lavender, clary sage, marjoram, and geranium.

You’ll also need a double boiler, glass mixing bowls, a hand whisk or stick blender, and sterilized glass jars for storage.

Step-by-Step Wild Yam Cream Recipe

Step #1

Fill a pint mason jar about 1/3 full with dried wild yam root. Cover with your carrier oil. Then let sit for two to six weeks. Shake gently every few days to stir. Strain out the herbs and save the oil. You can also place the jar without a lid on it in a pan or slow cooker with water to cover the oil and heat on low for 4 hours and then let cool and strain.

Step #2

Place the shea butter in a stand mixer and whip on high for 1 minute using the wire whip attachment. Whip on low for 3 minutes.

Step #3

Add the coconut oil and wild yam infused oil. Whip on high for 1 minute, then on low for 3 minutes.

Step #4

Add the essential oil if using. Whip on low for one minute or until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Customizing Your Wild Yam Cream

Here are some ways to customize this wild yam cream recipe:

Try avocado oil or cocoa butter for added emollience. These ingredients sink deep into the skin’s layers for lasting hydration.
Infuse the oil with wild yam and chamomile or calendula for their skin benefits.
Aloe soothes inflammation, while peppermint provides a refreshing tingle—perfect for hot flashes or irritated skin.
Add chaste berry or black cohosh for their benefits for women.

How to Use Wild Yam Cream Effectively

Apply once or twice daily to soft, thin-skinned areas like the inner thighs, arms, or lower abdomen. Depending on your goals, you can use it daily or for the last two weeks of your cycle.

Apply after a warm shower when pores are open. Massage gently to encourage circulation and absorption.

Some feel relief within weeks; others take longer. Listen to your body and track changes over time.

Storing and Shelf Life Tips

A sour smell, color change, or separation are signs it’s time to toss. Trust your senses—they’re your first line of defense.

Always use clean hands or a spatula when scooping. This recipe doesn't have water, so it doesn't need a preservative. Germs from your hands can introduce bacteria and other microorganisms.

Special Considerations

Talk to your doctor before using wild yam cream. It should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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Yield: 12-14 ounces

Author: Cari @ Everything Pretty