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Dietary supplement

Shan Yao Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Hawaii Pharm

Shan Yao label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Shan Yao against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Shan Yao is a dietary supplement by Hawaii Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, hormone balance (popular belief).Based on those ingredients, 41 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: Dioscorea opposita root extract, commonly known as wild yam. In traditional and herbal medicine, wild yam has been used for various conditions related to digestion, hormones, and inflammation.

The extract is prepared in a liquid form with alcohol, water, and glycerin as inactive ingredients.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Wild Yam's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Wild Yam herbal extract.
  • We looked for evidence on: Dysmenorrhea, Menopausal symptoms, Postmenopausal conditions, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Hormone balance, Menstrual health — and 1 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Wild Yam is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Menopausal symptoms (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Wild Yam is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Postmenopausal conditions, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea.

The evidence for wild yam's effectiveness is limited. For menopausal symptoms, the data we hold shows it is possibly ineffective — meaning studies haven't supported the claim.

For gallbladder disease, sexual dysfunction, irregular periods, and infertility, there isn't enough reliable evidence to rate whether it works. If you're considering this product for any of these reasons, talk with your pharmacist about what the current research actually shows.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Wild Yam

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Wild yam is generally well tolerated when taken by mouth short-term in healthy adults, though long-term safety hasn't been well studied. The most common side effects are headache, fever, upset stomach, and vomiting — especially at higher doses.

Very rarely, anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) has been reported. There isn't enough safety data to recommend this product during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

If you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Wild Yam

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Wild Yam.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 41 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check your exact medications if you take estrogens, including birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. This is a Moderate interaction — wild yam might raise or lower how these drugs work in your body.

No other medication types show documented interactions with the ingredient we could check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Wild yam may be worth considering if you're exploring traditional herbal remedies and don't take estrogen-based medications. If you take birth control pills, hormone therapy, or any estrogen-containing drug, check with your pharmacist first — the interaction is unpredictable.

Long-term safety data is thin, so short-term use in otherwise healthy adults is the safer bet.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2023.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Shan Yao, straight from the product label.

Brand Hawaii Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 840253647832
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2023
DSLD ID 301869
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 mL
Servings per container
120
UPC/BARCODE
840253647832
IngredientAmount% DV
Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry983 mg--

Other ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Brand IP Statement(s)

Hawaii Pharm Herbal Extract Highest quality since 2008

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested use: Shake well before using. For adults add about 20-30 drops (0.7-1 mL, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) to some juice or water, up to 4 times a day.

Precautions

Warning: We recommend to seek expert medical advice before taking.

Do not use if you are allergic to any ingredients.

Consult your physician before giving to children under 18, during pregnancy, if nursing or taking medications.

Consult your physician before giving to children under 18, during pregnancy, if nursing or taking medications.

May affect the ability to drive and operate machinery. May have contraindications, can cause side effects and adverse reactions. Do not use if seal is broken or missing.

Keep out of the reach of children!

Storage

Store in a cool dry place.

Seals/Symbols

cGMP Made in compliance with cGMP 21 CFR 111 in an FDA registered and inspected facility.

Organic Alcohol Based USA Made in United States of America

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This product has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Scan this QR-code to get 15% discount on your next purchase. Limited time deal.

Formula

Dioscorea opposita

Organic Alcohol Based

Formulation

Only natural ingredients Purity is laboratory tested and verified

All the raw materials are gluten-free by their nature No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

Not tested on animals

Organic Alcohol Based

Made in USA, Hawaii

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Shan Yao label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container120 Amounts shown are per serving.

Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry

Interacts with
41 drugs
983 mg per serving

Wild yam is a root traditionally used for menopausal symptoms, cramps, and as a so-called 'natural' hormone supplement, but solid human evidence for t...

Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Shan Yao?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
41Drugs
41 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry 41

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Shan Yao interact with 41 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Shan Yao interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Shan Yao with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry1 drug type · 41 drugs

Estrogens

Theoretically, wild yam might increase or decrease the effects of estrogen.
Wild yam root shows estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects in vitro. Theoretically, wild yam might interfere with hormone therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Dioscorea opposita Root Extract, Dry full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Shan Yao, from the product label.

Hawaii Pharm

See all Hawaii Pharm products
Name
Hawaii Pharm LLC
Street Address
510 Sumner St. Ste. 613
City
Honolulu
State
HI
ZipCode
96817
Phone Number
888-854-2924
Web Address
www.hawaiipharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm: Common Questions

Does Shan Yao by Hawaii Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Shan Yao has a known interaction with 41 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Shan Yao contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this if I'm on birth control?
Not without checking first. Wild yam may interfere with how estrogen-based birth control works — it could make it less effective or change its effects in unpredictable ways. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before adding this product to your routine.
Will this help with hot flashes?
The data we have suggests wild yam is possibly ineffective for menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. There are other options with better evidence — ask your pharmacist about alternatives.
What are the side effects?
Most people tolerate it fine, but headache, fever, upset stomach, and vomiting can happen, especially at higher doses. Very rarely, a severe allergic reaction has been reported. Stop and call your doctor if you have unusual symptoms.
Is it safe to take long-term?
Short-term use in healthy adults appears okay, but we don't have good data on long-term safety. If you're thinking about taking it regularly, run that by your pharmacist first.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Not based on the safety data we have. There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe during pregnancy or nursing. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist — they can advise you based on your situation.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Shan Yao label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Shan Yao’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Wild Yam

Interacts with 41 drugs

Wild yam is a root traditionally used for menopausal symptoms, cramps, and as a so-called 'natural' hormone supplement, but solid human evidence for these uses is lacking. Despite popular cl...

Read the full Wild Yam monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Shan Yao's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 7 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Wild Yam 7 references
  1. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
  2. Eagon PK, Elm MS, Hunter DS, et al. Medicinal herbs: modulation of estrogen action. Era of Hope Mtg, Dept Defense; Breast Cancer Res Prog, Atlanta, GA 2000;Jun 8-11.
  3. Cheong JL, Bucknall R. Retinal vein thrombosis associated with a herbal phytoestrogen preparation in a susceptible patient. Postgrad Med J 2005;81:266-7.. PubMed
  4. Rosenberg Zand, R. S., Jenkins, D. J., and Diamandis, E. P. Effects of natural products and nutraceuticals on steroid hormone-regulated gene expression. Clin Chim.Acta 2001;312(1-2):213-219. PubMed
  5. Araghiniknam M, Chung S, Nelson-White T, and et al. Antioxidant activity of Dioscorea and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in older humans. Life Sciences 1996;59:L147-L157.
  6. Zeng M, Zhang L, Li M, et al. Estrogenic effects of the extracts from the Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposite Thunb.) and its effective compounds in vitro and in vivo. Molecules. 2018 Jan 23;23(2). Pii: E11. PubMed
  7. Lu J, Wong RN, Zhang L, et al. Comparative analysis of proteins with stimulating activity on ovarian estradiol biosynthesis from four different Dioscorea species in vitro using both phenotypic and target-based approaches: implication for treating menopaus

See these in context on the Wild Yam monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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